Oral Antihypertensives for Nonsevere Pregnancy Hypertension: Systematic Review, Network Meta- and Trial Sequential Analyses. Issue 3 (March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bone, Jeffrey N.; Sandhu, Akshdeep; Abalos, Edgardo D.; Khalil, Asma; Singer, Joel; Prasad, Sarina; Omar, Shazmeen; Vidler, Marianne; von Dadelszen, Peter; Magee, Laura A.
• Is Part Of: Hypertension. Volume 79:Issue 3(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-03
• Subjects: blood pressure -- morbidity -- network meta-analysis -- proteinuria -- sample size; Hypertension -- Periodicals; Hypertension -- Treatment -- Periodicals; 616.132005
• DOI: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.121.18415
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0194-911X

Abstract

Abstract : Background: We aimed to address which antihypertensives are superior to placebo/no therapy or another antihypertensive for controlling nonsevere pregnancy hypertension and provide future sample size estimates for definitive evidence. Methods: Randomized trials of antihypertensives for nonsevere pregnancy hypertension were identified from online electronic databases, to February 28, 2021 (registration URL: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/ ; unique identifier: CRD42020188725). Our outcomes were severe hypertension, proteinuria/preeclampsia, fetal/newborn death, small-for-gestational age infants, preterm birth, and admission to neonatal care. A Bayesian random-effects model generated estimates of direct and indirect treatment comparisons. Trial sequential analysis informed future trials needed. Results: Of 1246 publications identified, 72 trials were included; 61 (6923 women) were informative. All commonly prescribed antihypertensives (labetalol, other β-blockers, methyldopa, calcium channel blockers, and mixed/multi-drug therapy) versus placebo/no therapy reduced the risk of severe hypertension by 30% to 70%. Labetalol decreased proteinuria/preeclampsia (odds ratio, 0.73 [95% credible interval, 0.54–0.99]) and fetal/newborn death (odds ratio, 0.54 [0.30–0.98]) compared with placebo/no therapy, and proteinuria/preeclampsia compared with methyldopa (odds ratio, 0.66 [0.44–0.99]) and calcium channel blockers (odds ratio, 0.63 [0.41–0.96]). No other differences were identified, but credible intervals were wide. Trial sequential analysis indicated that 2500 to 10 000 women/arm (severe hypertension or safety outcomes) to >15 000/arm (fetal/newborn death) would be required to provide definitive evidence. Conclusions: In summary, all commonly prescribed antihypertensives in pregnancy reduce the risk of severe hypertension, but labetalol may also decrease proteinuria/preeclampsia and fetal/newborn death. Evidence is lacking for many other safety outcomes. Prohibitive sample sizes are required for definitive evidence. Real-world data are needed to individualize care. Abstract : Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.