UMEM Educational Pearls

Category: Critical Care

Title: Severe Preeclampsia

Posted: 7/14/2015 by Mike Winters, MD
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Blood Pressure Management in Severe Preeclampsia

Severe preeclampsia (preeclampsia + at least one severe complication) accounts for almost 40% of deaths in obstetrical ICU admissions.
Systolic arterial hypertension is the most important predictor of morbidity in patients with severe preeclampsia.
First-line agents to reduce blood pressure in severe preeclampsia are nicardipine and labetalol.
Hydralazine is no longer recommended as first-line therapy.
Magnesium is used as an anticonvulsant and should not be considered an antihypertensive.

Leone M, Einav S. Severe preeclampsia: what's new in intensive care? Intensive Care Med 2015; 41:1343-6.