Intravenous use of the calcium-channel blocker nicardipine as second-line treatment in severe, early-onset pre-eclamptic patients.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of intravenous administration of nicardipine as a second-line temporizing treatment in severe, early-onset, pre-eclamptic patients.

Design: An open, prospective, evaluation study.

Setting: A high-care obstetric ward in a tertiary care centre.