title: Risk factors for postpartum antihypertensive medication requirement in severe preeclampsia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine antepartum risk factors for postpartum antihypertensive medication use in women with severe preeclampsia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A case control study was performed on patients who were diagnosed with severe preeclampsia between January 2000 and June 2004 at a single tertiary care center. Women discharged from the hospital on antihypertensive medications were compared to women discharged home on no antihypertensive medications. Demographic data, maternal medical conditions, and delivery data were abstracted from maternal charts. Risk factors were evaluated using multiple logistic regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  218 patients with severe preeclampsia were identified, of which 112 were discharged on antihypertensives. After adjusting for confounding variables, chronic hypertension was associated with an increased need for post partum antihypertensive medication (OR 7.5 (95% CI 3.0-18.1)). A dose-dependent association was seen with intrapartum hydralazine administration. High-dose hydralazine was associated with increased need for postpartum antihypertensive mediation (OR 5.74 95% CI 2.03-16.2) compared to low-dose hydralazine (OR of 2.51 95% CI 1.26-5.01). Hemolysis/Elevated liver function/low platelet (HELLP) syndrome was associated with a decreased need for antihypertensive medication (OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.13-0.82).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with chronic hypertension and patients who required intrapartum hydralazine were more likely to require antihypertensive medications at discharge.
authors.affiliation: Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, USA. epeterson@tuftsmedicalcenter.org
authors.forename: Erika
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Peterson
authors.forename: Sabrina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Craigo
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: House
mesh_terms: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D017359:HELLP Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016015:Logistic Models; D010351:Patient Discharge; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents