title: Pre-eclampsia: an update.
abstract: Pre-eclampsia remains the second leading direct cause of maternal death, >99 % of which occurs in less developed countries. Over 90 percent of the observed reduction in pre-eclampsia-related maternal deaths in the UK (1952-2008) occurred with antenatal surveillance and timed delivery. In this review, we discuss the pathogenesis, diagnostic criteria, disease prediction models, prevention and management of pre-eclampsia. The Pre-eclampsia Integrated Estimate of RiSk (PIERS) models and markers of angiogenic imbalance identify women at incremental risk for severe pre-eclampsia complications. For women at high risk of developing pre-eclampsia, low doses of aspirin (especially if started <17 weeks) and calcium are evidence-based preventative strategies; heparin is less so. Severe hypertension must be treated and the Control of Hypertension In Pregnancy (CHIPS) Trial (reporting: 2014) will guide non-severe hypertension management. Magnesium sulfate prevents and treats eclampsia; there is insufficient evidence to support alternative regimens. Pre-eclampsia predicts later cardiovascular disease; however, at this time we do not know what to do about it.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of British Columbia, Rm V3-339, 950 West 28th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada, pvd@cw.bc.ca.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: von Dadelszen
authors.forename: Laura A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Magee
mesh_terms: D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008274:Magnesium / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012306:Risk
chemical_list: D008274:Magnesium; D001241:Aspirin