PHARMACOLOGICAL THERAPY FOR PREGNANCY-INDUCED HYPERTENSION

Complications of pregnancy-induced hypertension (PM) remain a leading cause of maternal mortality in the United States. The etiology of the disease is not fully understood, but pathologic effects of PM on mater nal organ systems are well documented. Present strategies for manageme nt emphasize prevention and control of eclamptic seizure and hypertens ive crisis and correction of fluid imbalance. The article reviews curr ent trends in drug therapy for the acute management of PIH. Topics dis cussed include evaluation of magnesium sulfate as an anticonvulsant, h ydralazine versus labetalol for management of hypertension, and the ro le of colloid osmotic pressure in fluid therapy.