The Impact of IV Labetalol on Cardiotocographic Changes in Severe Preeclampsia | [Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan • 2025]

Author(s):

1. Samina Aliya Sabir: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Lady Reading Hospital MTI,Peshawar,Pakistan

2. Farnaz Zahoor: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Lady Reading Hospital MTI,Peshawar,Pakistan

3. Ghulam Abbas: Department of Medicine, Khyber Teaching Hospital,Peshawar,Pakistan

Abstract:

To evaluate the impact of intravenous (IV) labetalol on cardiotocographic (CTG) ndings in patients with severe preeclampsia and to determine its association, if any, with emergency caesarean section indications. Study Design: Descriptive case series. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Lady Reading Hospital MTI, Peshawar, Pakistan, from August 2023 to January 2024. Methodology: Seventy-six pregnant women with severe preeclampsia (BP e160/110 mmHg) received IV labetalol for hypertension control, with continuous CTG monitoring for foetal well-being. Labetalol dosage, number of medicines administered, time to emergency caesarean, and CTG ndings were recorded. Emergency caesarean sections were performed based on obstetric indications such as non-reassuring CTG or foetal distress, not due to labetalol administration. Data were analysed using SPSS version 23, with p <0.05 considered statistically signi cant. Results: Out of the 76 patients, 68.4% (n = 52) had normal CTG ndings, while 31.6% (n = 24) showed abnormalities. No signi cant association was found between labetalol dosage and CTG outcomes (p = 0.558). The mean time to emergency caesarean section was 10.07 ± 2.74 minutes, re ecting the clinical urgency in cases with foetal compromise rather than a direct e ect of labetalol. Conclusion: While IV labetalol is already widely recommended in guidelines, this study adds value by evaluating its impact on realtime foetal monitoring through CTG in a local clinical context. IV labetalol e ectively controls blood pressure in severe preeclampsia without signi cantly a ecting CTG ndings, supporting its safety in managing maternal hypertension and foetal outcomes.

Page(s): 789-792

DOI: 10.29271/jcpsp.2025.06.789

Published: Journal: Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan, Volume: 35, Issue: 06, Year: 2025

Keywords:

Hypertension , Preeclampsia , Labetalol , Cardiotocography , Foetal monitoring

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