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Pathophysiology and Current Clinical Management of Preeclampsia

  • Antihypertensive Agents: Mechanisms of Drug Action (ME Ernst, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Preeclampsia is characterized by blood pressure greater than 140/90 mmHg in the second half of pregnancy. This disease is a major contributor to preterm and low birth weight babies. The early delivery of the baby, which becomes necessary for maintaining maternal well-being, makes preeclampsia the leading cause for preterm labor and infant mortality and morbidity. Currently, there is no cure for this pregnancy disorder. The current clinical management of PE is hydralazine with labetalol and magnesium sulfate to slow disease progression and prevent maternal seizure, and hopefully prolong the pregnancy. This review will highlight factors implicated in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia and current treatments for the management of this disease.

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Acknowledgements

This work was funded by the NIH grants HL105324 and HD067541-06.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA

    Lorena M. Amaral & Babbette LaMarca

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA

    Kedra Wallace & Michelle Owens

  3. Department of Pharmacology, Center for Excellence in Renal and Cardiovascular Research, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, 39216, USA

    Babbette LaMarca

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  1. Lorena M. Amaral
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Correspondence to Babbette LaMarca.

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Amaral, L.M., Wallace, K., Owens, M. et al. Pathophysiology and Current Clinical Management of Preeclampsia. Curr Hypertens Rep 19, 61 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11906-017-0757-7

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