Postpartum management of the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effectiveness and safety of management strategies for postpartum hypertension.

DATA SOURCES: We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth's Trials Register in collaboration with their Information Specialist, on October 20, 2022. As the Pregnancy and Childbirth Review Group closed (2023), we updated our literature search on September 17, 2024 (topped up on September 25, 2025), using a strategy developed with an information specialist from the Royal College of Physicians, United Kingdom.

STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: We included randomized controlled trials assessing any intervention (pharmacological, surgical, or models of care) used to reduce maternal blood pressure in participants with postpartum hypertension.

STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS

METHODS

Search results were screened independently by 2 authors, with any disagreement resolved by consensus. Data were extracted independently, onto a Cochrane-based bespoke form which included Cochrane's Trustworthiness Screening Tool. Random-effects meta-analysis was performed in RevMan.

RESULTS

Of the 944 studies identified, 40/44 included had informative data. Certainty of evidence was low or very low. There were no safety concerns. In 7 trials (n=1113 participants) of diuretics (primarily furosemide) vs placebo/no therapy, blood pressure control was better with diuretics when administered alongside antihypertensive. In 3 trials (n=96) of antihypertensive vs placebo, data were insufficient to inform effectiveness. In 9 trials (n=865) of antihypertensive (4 types) vs another (3 types) for nonsevere hypertension, additional antihypertensive need was similar in comparisons with either nifedipine or methyldopa, but greater when amlodipine or either enalapril or lisinopril/thiazide were compared with nifedipine. In 8 trials (n=403) of antihypertensive vs another for severe hypertension, blood pressure was lower with diltiazem (vs nifedipine). In 4 trials (n=668) of uterine curettage vs usual care, observed improvements in laboratory parameters were of unclear clinical significance. In 9 trials (n=1263) of models of postnatal care (usually blood pressure self-monitoring/management, N=6) vs usual care, blood pressure was lower 8 months postpartum following blood pressure self-monitoring/management or lifestyle change.

CONCLUSION

While diuretics may aid in blood pressure control, they cannot be recommended as monotherapy. Evidence guiding the optimal choice of antihypertensive agents remains limited. Of greatest relevance to practice is the effectiveness of: enalapril or amlodipine (vs nifedipine) in controlling blood pressure; and blood pressure self-measurement/management or lifestyle change (vs usual care) in preventing longer-term cardiovascular outcomes.