title: Severe post-partum eclampsia: response to plasma exchange.
abstract: In their severest forms, pre-eclampsia and eclampsia may be life-threatening complications of pregnancy. We describe a patient with severe post-partum eclampsia characterized by seizures, deep coma, hypertension, renal insufficiency, coagulopathy, and microangiopathic hemolysis. The patient responded to treatment that included intensive plasma exchange, and she achieved full recovery. Our case supports the use of plasma exchange in patients with severe pre-eclampsia and eclampsia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco 94120.
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Stricker
authors.forename: E K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Main
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kronfield
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Kallas
authors.forename: L B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Gerson
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Autry
authors.forename: D D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Kiprov
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D002585:Cesarean Section; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004461:Eclampsia / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008353:Mannitol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009599:Nitroprusside / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010672:Phenytoin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010951:Plasma Exchange; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011247:Pregnancy; D011272:Pregnancy, Multiple; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D011697:Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic; D006435:Renal Dialysis
chemical_list: D009599:Nitroprusside; D008353:Mannitol; D010672:Phenytoin; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate; D003907:Dexamethasone