Blinding and study procedure
BLOOD, SEVERE PREECLAMPSIA
All severe preeclampsia patients who came to the hospitals were subjected to anamnesis, physical and laboratories examination and then selected based on predetermined inclusion criteria. Blood pressure measurements were carried out using a digital sphygmomanometer with the Omron 7600T brand. The patient was asked to sit and rest for 10 minutes, the measurement was conducted twice on the arm with a distance period of 15 minutes, and the data taken was the second measurement. If the patients met the requirements, they were asked to participate in the study and all patients have to sign the written informed consent before the enrolment. The assigned group was computerized randomized using
The enrolment of the patient was conducted by the doctors in each centre. The doctors have been informed about the study and have been trained. The doctors and patients did not know the drugs contained in the kit. The doctors were instructed to administrate one pair of drugs (i.e., one tablet and one ampoule injection; this contained one drug and one placebo) for each time. The blood pressure was assessed 20 minutes after each administration. If the blood pressure did not meet the MAP target, the second pair of drugs (one tablet and one ampoule injection) was given and the blood pressure was reassessed in 20 minutes until the third pair of the drugs. The blood pressure was re-assessed 60 min post-first dose, 2, 4 and 6 h post-first dose. Therefore, the blood pressure was measured seven times as follows: (1) minute 0 (pre-treatment); (2) 20 min post-first dose; (3) 20 min post-second dose (i.e., 40 min post-first dose); (4) 20 min post-third dose (i.e., 60 min post-first dose); (5) 2 h post-first dose; (6) 4 h post-first dose; and (7) 6 h post-first dose.The technique of administering magnesium sulphate and dexamethasone was uniform in all patients. If the MAP was nor reached after the third dose, the patient was treated with other drugs and excluded from the final analysis.