title: Pre-eclampsia, magnesium sulfate, and blood pressure evaluation during labor: a preliminary consideration.
abstract: The influences of uterine contractions and magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) infusion on blood pressure evaluation of the pre-eclamptic patient in labor have not been thoroughly investigated. Blood pressures were measured between and during contractions in 13 patients with pre-eclampsia, before and after MgSO4, and in 17 normotensive patients. Pre-eclampsia was associated with a mean 11 mm Hg increase in pulse pressure (P less than 0.001), which fell by 8 mm Hg following MgSO4 infusion (P less than 0.001). With pre-eclampsia, pressure increases up to 45/28 mm Hg were observed during contractions. Theoretically, reduced pulse pressure, resulting in decreased shearing force applied to vessel walls, could be a previously unrecognized therapeutic effect of MgSO4. Potentially dangerous pressure elevations could be missed by relying exclusively on diastolic values measured between contractions.
mesh_terms: D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D001795:Blood Pressure Determination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007743:Labor, Obstetric / Q000502:physiology*; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D014590:Uterine Contraction
chemical_list: D008278:Magnesium Sulfate