Nifedipine and Platelets in Preeclampsia

Abstract
In addition to its antihypertensive properties, nifedipine inhibits platelet aggregation in vitro. Because increased platelet aggregation is a feature of preeclampsia, we have investigated nifedipine in this condition. Ten women at 31 ± 2.8 weeks gestation, with blood pressure 162 ± 18/ 102 ± 10 mmHg (despite atenolol 200 mg/day) and proteinuria 2.0 ±1.1 g/24 hr, were treated with nifedipine. Pregnancies were prolonged by 17 ±15 days (range 5 to 56). Blood pressure was controlled in eight of the ten patients, final values before delivery being 142 ± 16/89 ± 12 mmHg (Ρ < 0.02). Platelet count rose in all women from 190 ± 80 to 261 ± 78 × 109/1 (P < 0.001). Nifedipine appears to reverse the thrombocytopenia of preeclampsia, in addition to controlling the blood pressure. Am J Hypertens 1988; 1:175-177

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