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Outcomes of Angiotensin-converting Enzyme Inhibitor (ACEI) Use During Pregnancy

Research Report Apr 14, 2010

Page Contents

Findings from this study were published in the following journal article.

Li D, Yang C, Andrade S, et al. Maternal exposure to angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors in the first trimester and risk of malformations in offspring: a retrospective cohort study. BMJ 2011; 343:d5931

Abstract

Objective

To examine a reported association between use of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors during the first trimester and risk of malformations in offspring.

Design

A population based, retrospective cohort study linking automated clinical and pharmacy databases including comprehensive electronic medical records.

Participants

Pregnant women and their live born offspring (465?754 mother-infant pairs) in the Kaiser Permanente Northern California region from 1995 to 2008.

Main Outcome Measure

Congenital malformation in live births.

Results

The prevalence of ACE inhibitor use in the first trimester only was 0.9/1000, and the use of other antihypertensive medications was 2.4/1000. After adjustment for maternal age, ethnicity, parity, and obesity, use of ACE inhibitors during the first trimester only seemed to be associated with increased risk of congenital heart defects in offspring compared with normal controls (those with neither hypertension nor use of any antihypertensives during pregnancy) (15/381 (3.9%) v 6232/400 021 (1.6%) cases, odds ratio 1.54 (95% confidence interval 0.90 to 2.62)). A similar association was observed for use of other antihypertensives (28/1090 (2.6%) cases of congenital heart defects, odds ratio 1.52 (1.04 to 2.21)). However, compared with hypertension controls (those with a diagnosis of hypertension but without use of antihypertensives) (708/29?735 (2.4%) cases of congenital heart defects), neither use of ACE inhibitors or of other antihypertensives in the first trimester was associated with increased congenital heart defects risk (odds ratios 1.14 (0.65 to 1.98) and1.12 (0.76 to 1.64) respectively).

Conclusions

Maternal use of ACE inhibitors in the first trimester has a risk profile similar to the use of other antihypertensives regarding malformations in live born offspring. The apparent increased risk of malformations associated with use of ACE inhibitors (and other antihypertensives) in the first trimester is likely due to the underlying hypertension rather than the medications.

Project Timeline

Outcomes of Angiotensin-converting Enzyme Inhibitor (ACEI) Use During Pregnancy

Apr 14, 2010
Topic Initiated
Apr 14, 2010
Research Report
Page last reviewed November 2017
Page originally created November 2017

Internet Citation: Research Report: Outcomes of Angiotensin-converting Enzyme Inhibitor (ACEI) Use During Pregnancy. Content last reviewed November 2017. Effective Health Care Program, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD.
https://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/products/pregnancy-acei-outcomes/abstract

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