Abstract

ARENAS-ROJAS, Adriana Marcela. Benefits and risks of antihypertensive therapy in the postpartum. Medicas UIS [online]. 2016, vol.29, n.2, pp.71-80. ISSN 0121-0319.  https://doi.org/10.18273/revmed.v29n2-2016007.

Introduction: hypertensive disorders are the most common medical complication of pregnancy, with a global prevalence of 5-10%, and are one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality, especially in developing countries. There is little information about the evaluation, treatment and complications associated with postpartum hypertension, and the lack of management guidelines can result in imprecise diagnosis and incorrect therapeutic approaches. Objective: to provide an approach about the benefits and risks associated with the pharmacological management of postpartum hypertension. Searching methodology: a literature review was conducted using the bibliographic databases PubMed, Science Direct, Embase, SciELO and LILACS, limiting the search to articles published in the last 10 years, in Spanish and English. We excluded the articles that did not contained information about the clinical presentation, treatment or complications associated with postpartum hypertension. Results: a total of 69 articles that met the inclusion criteria were obtained. Discussion and Conclusion: due to the limited literature about the management of postpartum hypertension, it is not accurate to speak of first-line drugs. The choice of a drug is guided by the underlying etiology and factors such as breastfeeding should be taken into account. The proposed drugs belong to groups of calcium channel antagonists, β-blockers, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone axis antagonists, diuretics, α-blockers, among others. It is noted that the most used drugs are nifedipine, methyldopa, and β-blockers such as propranolol and labetalol, because of the evidence supporting the safety of their use during the postpartum period. MÉD.UIS. 2016;29(2):71-80.

Keywords : Pregnancy Induced Hypertension; Postpartum period; Antihypertensive agents; Therapeutics.

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