Preeclampsia
In the normal state of pregnancy the BP:
Vasodilated state occurs which causes a general decrease in BP. Diastolic BP usually
drops 10mmHg in 2nd trimester then gradually returns to prepregnancy BP by term
Peripheral vascular resistance decreases by 25%
Blood volume increases by 30-50% during pregnancy
Increased renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate
Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy:
Chronic hypertension- Hypertension that occurs before conception or before the 20 th
week of pregnancy
Preeclampsia- eclampsia- is systemic disease with hypertension that accompanied by
proteinuria after the 20th week of pregnancy
Eclampsia is a convulsive progression of preeclampsia
Preeclampsia superimposed on Women with chronic hypertension – a new onset of
proteinuria before the 20th week of pregnancy; and/or a sudden uncontrolled
hypertension. **Up to 25% of women who have chronic hypertension develop
preeclampsia during their pregnancies
Gestational Hypertension – High blood pressure occurs for the first time after mid-
pregnancy without proteinuria. Gestational hypertension occurs in 5 to 6% of all
pregnancies in the US
1
, Preeclampsia: described as systemic disease of pregnancy specific syndrome that causes
reduced organ perfusion secondary to vasospasms and endothelial activation causing severe
peripheral vascular resistance.
Risk factors for developing preeclampsia:
Nulliparity
Age more common in those younger than 19 and those older than 35 years old
Multiple gestation
Family history of preeclampsia
Preexisting hypertension (chronic hypertension)
Previous preeclampsia or eclampsia
Diabetes mellitus
Uteroplacental perfusion can be compromised severely
The physiological changes of this disease affect all maternal major organs and the central
nervous system
Pathology can have a severe impact for both maternal and fetal
The only cure for preeclampsia is delivery
Maternal Risks:
Cerebral edema/ hemorrhage
Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)
Pulmonary edema
Congestive heart failure
2
In the normal state of pregnancy the BP:
Vasodilated state occurs which causes a general decrease in BP. Diastolic BP usually
drops 10mmHg in 2nd trimester then gradually returns to prepregnancy BP by term
Peripheral vascular resistance decreases by 25%
Blood volume increases by 30-50% during pregnancy
Increased renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate
Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy:
Chronic hypertension- Hypertension that occurs before conception or before the 20 th
week of pregnancy
Preeclampsia- eclampsia- is systemic disease with hypertension that accompanied by
proteinuria after the 20th week of pregnancy
Eclampsia is a convulsive progression of preeclampsia
Preeclampsia superimposed on Women with chronic hypertension – a new onset of
proteinuria before the 20th week of pregnancy; and/or a sudden uncontrolled
hypertension. **Up to 25% of women who have chronic hypertension develop
preeclampsia during their pregnancies
Gestational Hypertension – High blood pressure occurs for the first time after mid-
pregnancy without proteinuria. Gestational hypertension occurs in 5 to 6% of all
pregnancies in the US
1
, Preeclampsia: described as systemic disease of pregnancy specific syndrome that causes
reduced organ perfusion secondary to vasospasms and endothelial activation causing severe
peripheral vascular resistance.
Risk factors for developing preeclampsia:
Nulliparity
Age more common in those younger than 19 and those older than 35 years old
Multiple gestation
Family history of preeclampsia
Preexisting hypertension (chronic hypertension)
Previous preeclampsia or eclampsia
Diabetes mellitus
Uteroplacental perfusion can be compromised severely
The physiological changes of this disease affect all maternal major organs and the central
nervous system
Pathology can have a severe impact for both maternal and fetal
The only cure for preeclampsia is delivery
Maternal Risks:
Cerebral edema/ hemorrhage
Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)
Pulmonary edema
Congestive heart failure
2
