Angiotensin‐II receptor 1 antagonist fetopathy – risk assessment, critical time period and vena cava thrombosis as a possible new feature. (5th February 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Oppermann, Marc; Padberg, Stephanie; Kayser, Angela; Weber‐Schoendorfer, Corinna; Schaefer, Christof
• Is Part Of: British journal of clinical pharmacology. Volume 75:Number 3(2013:Mar.)
• Page Start: 822
• Page End: 830
• Publication Date: 2013-02-05
• Subjects: Pharmacology -- Periodicals; Drugs -- Periodicals; 615.1
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2125.2012.04388.x
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-5251

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="bcp4388-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Aims</title> <p>Angiotensin‐II receptor 1 antagonists (AT<sub>1</sub>‐antagonists) may cause severe and even lethal fetopathy in late pregnancy. However, exposure still occurs in spite of warnings in package leaflets. This study aimed to assess the risk of fetopathy, the sensitive time window, and possible new symptoms in prospective as well as retrospective cases with AT<sub>1</sub>‐antagonist treatment during the second or third trimester of pregnancy.</p> </sec> <sec id="bcp4388-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Patients were enrolled by the Berlin Institute for Clinical Teratology and Drug Risk Assessment in Pregnancy between 1999 and 2011 through risk consultation. Symptoms defined as indicative of AT<sub>1</sub>‐antagonist fetopathy were: oligo‐/anhydramnios, renal insufficiency, lung hypoplasia, joint contractures, skull hypoplasia and fetal/neonatal death.</p> </sec> <sec id="bcp4388-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>In 5/29 (17%) prospectively enrolled cases with AT<sub>1</sub>‐antagonist exposure beyond the first trimester oligo‐/anhydramnios was diagnosed. Two infants showed additional symptoms of fetopathy. The risk is more than 30% if treatment continues beyond the 20th week of pregnancy. Oligo‐/anhydramnios was reversible after AT<sub>1</sub>‐antagonist withdrawal. Among 16 retrospective case reports, three infants presented with a thrombosis of the inferior vena cava in the vicinity of the renal veins. Four out of 13 live births did not survive.</p> </sec> <sec id="bcp4388-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>Our survey suggests that the risk increases with duration of AT<sub>1</sub>‐antagonist treatment into late pregnancy and oligo‐/anhydramnios may be reversible after AT<sub>1</sub>‐antagonist discontinuation. Thrombosis of inferior vena cava may be a new feature of AT<sub>1</sub>‐antagonist fetopathy. AT<sub>1</sub>‐antagonist medication during pregnancy constitutes a considerable risk and must be discontinued immediately. In case of indicative diagnostic findings in either the fetus or newborn, previous maternal AT<sub>1</sub>‐antagonist exposure should be considered.</p> </sec> </abstract>