title: Possible treatment of pre-eclampsia with calcium channel blocking agents.
abstract: A review of the pathophysiology and treatment of pre-eclampsia indicates that vasospasm and vascular hyperreactivity are important elements in the disease process and its control. Five requirements for a therapeutic agent in pre-eclampsia are identified: control of generalized vasospasm, hypertension, and eclamptic convulsions, maintenance of placental perfusion, and lack of adverse effects on the fetus/neonate. Calcium channel blocking agents are well known arteriolar vasodilators and inhibitors of coronary artery vasospasm, and appear to possess qualities relevant to these therapeutic requirements for pre-eclampsia. It is proposed that calcium channel blocking agents may be effective agents in the management of pre-eclampsia.
mesh_terms: D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004461:Eclampsia / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy; D009543:Nifedipine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010920:Placenta / Q000098:blood supply / Q000187:drug effects; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000188:drug therapy; D014661:Vasoconstriction / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D009543:Nifedipine