title: Acute hypertensive emergencies in pregnancy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Obstetrical hypertensive emergencies are life-threatening conditions involving significant risk to both the mother and fetus. Aggressive treatment of the maternal hypertensive state requires an initial consideration of the effect of treatment on the fetus, via changes to the uteroplacental circulation with treatment. The challenge then is to correct blood pressure using appropriate, safe pharmacologic agents to prevent catastrophic maternal consequences, while minimizing acute changes to placental perfusion and any corresponding fetal ill effects. Hypertension in pregnancy may be one manifestation of a multiple-system pathologic process, as is the case in preeclampsia. Blood pressure control, along with delivery, will be the first step in treating the renal, hematologic, hepatic, and cardiac dysfunction that can be seen in preeclampsia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A review of medications most commonly used for hypertensive emergencies in pregnancy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hypertensive emergencies in pregnancy require prompt evaluation and treatment in an intensive care setting to prevent untoward effects to both the fetus and mother.
authors.affiliation: Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center-Houston, Houston, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Alex C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Vidaeff
authors.forename: Mary A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Carroll
authors.forename: Susan M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Ramin
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003422:Critical Care; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D046110:Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents