Comparison of Mean Arterial Pressure in Oral Labetalol versus Methyldopa in Pregnancy Induced Hypertension

Abstract

Objective: To compare mean arterial pressure (MAP) on day 7 following oral labetalol versus methyldopa therapy in women with pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH).

Methodology: This randomized controlled trial was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Recep Tayyip Erdogan Hospital, Muzaffargarh, from 6 November 2023 to 6 May 2024. A total of 194 patients, equally divided into labetalol and methyldopa groups, who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were enrolled. Eligible participants were women aged 18–35 years with a gestational age of ≥20 weeks diagnosed with pregnancy-induced hypertension as per the operational definition and classified as American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I or II. After recording demographic information, patients were observed for the first 24 hours to achieve the target controlled blood pressure range. Mean arterial pressure was assessed on the 7th day after initiation of medication. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 23.

Results: The mean age of women with PIH was 28.7 ± 4.2 years. The mean systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and MAP on day 7 after treatment were 143.1 ± 3.6 mmHg, 87.4 ± 4.2 mmHg, and 105.9 ± 2.8 mmHg, respectively. Overall, mean diastolic blood pressure and MAP were lower in the labetalol group compared to the methyldopa group (86.3 ± 4.1 vs. 88.4 ± 3.9 mmHg, and 105.2 ± 2.8 vs. 106.7 ± 2.7 mmHg, respectively).

Conclusion: Labetalol was found to be more effective than methyldopa in achieving better blood pressure control during pregnancy