24-hour Holter measurement of blood pressure in pregnant women and effectiveness of the treatment

Abstract

Objectives: Hypertension remains a very serious obstetric problem and a severe pregnancy complication. Hypertension in pregnancy influences the intrauterine fetal growth. Proper monitoring of antihypertensive therapy effects enables us to make suitable modifications of the treatment. The aim of the study was to evaluate the benefits of 24-hour Holter arterial pressure monitoring method in hypertensive pregnant women. Material and methods: Pregnant women hospitalized and treated for hypertension in the Department of Pathology of Pregnancy of Medical University of ¸ode were investigated in the study. Two groups were compared, namely: the control group - pregnant hypertensive women with blood pressure controlled 4 times a day and a study group with 24-hr blood pressure control. Results: In the study group examined by 24-hr arterial pressure monitoring, measured, values of blood pressure during the treatment was significantly higher. This observation shows the necessity to increase doses of antihypertensive agents. Conclusion: 24-hr arterial pressure monitoring allows us to administer a more precise dosage of antihypertensive drugs than several arterial blood pressure measurements per day.