title: How do perinatologists manage preeclampsia?
abstract: The members of the Society of Perinatal Obstetricians were surveyed regarding management of preeclampsia, with focus on drug therapy, use of invasive monitors, and both general policies and treatment of hypothetical cases of preterm severe preeclampsia. There was agreement that magnesium sulfate should be given to all patients with preeclampsia during labor and postpartum and that blood pressure should be held to about 160/105 mmHg. The drugs of choice for control of blood pressure were hydralazine, alpha-methyldopamine, and cardioselective beta-blockers. Most perinatologists use invasive monitors only for specific indications, but a substantial minority use either arterial lines or central venous pressure monitors routinely in severe preeclampsia. There was no consensus with respect to management of preterm, severe preeclampsia, but even among the 49% of respondents who volunteered an unequivocal policy of "deliver regardless of gestational age," over three fourths would hospitalize and observe in selected cases meeting American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology criteria for severe preeclampsia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Arkansas Medical Center, Little Rock.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Catanzarite
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Quirk
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Aisenbrey
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D001795:Blood Pressure Determination / Q000379:methods; D003625:Data Collection; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D003846:Deoxyepinephrine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006830:Hydralazine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010500:Perinatology; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012955:Societies, Medical
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D006830:Hydralazine; C023492:alpha-methyldopamine; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate; D003846:Deoxyepinephrine