Effects of Selective Early Magnesium Cessation Protocol on Preeclampsia With Severe Features [12L]

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: We evaluate the effect of a selective early postpartum magnesium cessation protocol in patients diagnosed with preeclampsia with severe features. METHODS: A standardized protocol was implemented in March 2017 identifying patients at lower risk of postpartum eclampsia, and thus eligible for early discontinuation of magnesium sulfate at 12 hours postpartum. An IRB approved, retrospective cohort study was performed of all patients with preeclampsia with severe features 25 months before and after protocol implementation. The primary outcome assessed was the incidence of postpartum readministration of magnesium sulfate after completion of the initial course. RESULTS: Preeclampsia with severe features was identified in 737 patients with exclusion of 58 patients due to postpartum preeclampsia diagnosis or eclampsia prior to initial magnesium cessation. While the rate of preeclampsia with severe features increased (3.9% vs 7.0%, p<.001) in the pre and post-implementation groups, there was no difference in the rate of eclampsia (0.03% vs 0.05%, P=.59). Analysis included 272 patients pre and 407 patients post protocol implementation. Rates of early magnesium cessation, less than 23 hours of postpartum magnesium, were 11.1% vs 55.5% pre and post protocol implementation. In patients who underwent early magnesium cessation (n=226), there was no significant difference in postpartum readministration of magnesium (1.5% vs 3%, P=.25). There was no difference in readmission for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (1.1% vs 2.5%, P=.20). CONCLUSION: In patients with preeclampsia with severe features who underwent selective early magnesium cessation there was no difference in postpartum readministration of magnesium sulfate or readmission for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.