Second Line Therapy
In rare circumstance that IV bolus labetalol, hydrala- the zine, or oral nifedipine fail to relieve acute-onset, severe hypertension and are given in successive appropriate doses such as those outlined in the order sets (see Box 1, Box 2, and Box 3), emergent consultation with an anes- thesiologist, maternal-fetal medicine subspecialist, or critical care subspecialist to discuss second-line interven- tion is recommended. Second-line alternatives to con- sider include labetalol or nicardipine by infusion pump (26-28) Sodium nitroprusside should be reserved for extreme emergencies and used for the shortest amount of time possible because of concerns about cyanide and thio- cyanate toxicity in the mother and fetus or newborn, and increased intracranial pressure with potential worsening of cerebral edema in the mother (18). Once the hyper tensive emergency is treated, a complete and detailed evaluation of maternal and fetal well-being is needed with consideration of, among many issues, the need for subsequent pharmacotherapy and the appropriate timing delivery