Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Atenolol in the Treatment of Hypertension of Pregnancy

  • section 4: Hypertension of Pregnancy
  • Published:
Drugs Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

In order to determine the effects of atenolol on maternal blood pressure and on the fetus and newborn, a retrospective analysis of all hypertensive pregnancies seen during 1980 was made.

Of 3077 pregnancies, 113 (3.7%) were hypertensive. Of these, 19% had no drug treatment, 59% were treated with a β1-blocker, and 39% with a β1-blocker plus hydralazine. The blood pressure-lowering effect was highly significant. There was no maternal mortality, but a perinatal mortality of 2.5%. There was an impressive lack of side effects among the mothers. Drug therapy conferred no obvious additional risks to the newborn in these high risk pregnancies.

The results confirm previous findings when using β1-selective adrenoceptor blockers during pregnancy. Although the results seem encouraging, meticulous control of pregnancies complicated by hypertension is recommended to obtain optimum results.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Barden, T.P. and Stander, R.W.: Myometrial and cardiovascular effects of an adrenergic blocking drug in human pregnancy. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 101: 91 (1968).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cruickshank, J.M.: The clinical importance of cardioselectivity and lipophilicity in beta blockers. American Heart Journal 100: 160–178 (1980).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Deacon, C.S.; Lennard, M.S.; Bax, N.D.S.; Woods, H.F. and Tucker, G.T.: Inhibition of oxidative drug metabolism by beta-adrenoceptor antagonists is related to their lipid solubility. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 12: 429–430 (1981).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Eliahou, H.E.; Silverberg, D.S.; Reisin, E.; Romen, I.; Mashiachi, S. and Serr, D.M.: Propranolol for the treatment of hypertension in pregnancy. British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 85: 431–436 (1978).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Frishman, W.H.: Beta-adrenoceptor antagonists: New drugs and new indications. New England Journal of Medicine 305: 500–506 (1981).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gallery, E.D.M.; Saunders, D.M.; Hunyor, S.N. and Györy, A.Z.: Randomised comparison of methyldopa and oxprenolol for treatment of hypertension in pregnancy. British Medical Journal 1: 1591–1594 (1979).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Habib, A. and McCarthy, J.S.: Effects on the neonate of propranolol administered during pregnancy. Journal of Pediatrics 91: 808–811 (1977).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lieberman, B.A.; Stirrat, G.M.; Cohen, S.L.; Beard, R.W.; Pinker, G.D. and Belsey, E.: The possible adverse effect of propranolol on the foetus in pregnancies complicated by severe hypertension. British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 85: 678–683 (1978).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lubbe, W.F. and Hodge, J.V.: Combined alpha- and beta-adrenoceptor antagonism with prazosin and oxprenolol in control of severe hypertension in pregnancy. New Zealand Medical Journal 94: 169–172 (1981).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Michael, C.A. and Potter, J.M.: A comparison of labetalol with other antihypertensive drugs in the treatment of hypertensive disease in pregnancy; in Riley and Symonds (Eds) The Investigation of Labetalol in the Management of Hypertension in Pregnancy, pp.111–122 (International Congress Series, No. 591, Excerpta Medica, Amsterdam 1982).

    Google Scholar 

  • Redman, C.W.G.; Beilin, L.J.; Bonnar, J. and Ounsted, M.K.: Foetal outcome in trial of antihypertensive treatment in pregnancy. Lancet 2: 753–756 (1976).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Redman, C.W.G.; Beilin, L.J. and Bonnar, J.: Treatment of hypertension in pregnancy with methyldopa: blood pressure control and side effects. British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 84: 419–426 (1977).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rooth, G.: Better perinatal health. Sweden. Lancet 2: 1170–1172 (1979).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rubin, P.C.: Beta-blockers in pregnancy. New England Journal of Medicine 305: 1323–1326 (1981).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sandström, B.: Antihypertensive treatment with the adrenergic beta-receptor blocker metoprolol during pregnancy. Gynecologic and Obstetric Investigation 9: 195–204 (1978).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tcherdakoff, P. and Kreft, C.: Traitement par le propranolol de l’hypertension arterielle chez la femme enceinte. Nouvelle Presse Medicale 6: 629–632 (1977).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Walters, D.V. and Olver, R.E.: The role of catecholamines in lung liquid absorption at birth. Pediatric Research 12: 239–242 (1978).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wansbrough, H.; Nakanishi, H. and Wood, G: The effect of adrenergic receptor blocking drugs on the human uterus. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 75: 189–198 (1968).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, University of Lund, S221 85, Lund, Sweden

    H. Liedholm

Authors
  1. H. Liedholm
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Liedholm, H. Atenolol in the Treatment of Hypertension of Pregnancy. Drugs 25 (Suppl 2), 206–211 (1983). https://doi.org/10.2165/00003495-198300252-00060

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2165/00003495-198300252-00060

Keywords

Search

Navigation