High diastolic BP in women with pre-eclampsia linked to development of eclampsia: Study

The researchers found that women diagnosed with pre-eclampsia, women with pulmonary oedema had increased systolic blood pressures and women with eclampsia had increased diastolic blood pressures compared to pre-eclampsia controls. No differences in blood pressure measurements were seen in early pregnancy between women who later developed eclampsia or pulmonary oedema compared to pre-eclampsia controls.

The researchers concluded that "Blood pressure measurements in early pregnancy do not seem useful as a risk factor for the development of eclampsia or pulmonary oedema among women diagnosed with pre-eclampsia. Increased systolic or diastolic pressure at diagnosis of pre-eclampsia may be useful as a risk factor for the development of pulmonary oedema or eclampsia. Further research is needed to confirm these findings." They also stated that identifying women who have had an increase in systolic or diastolic pressure at diagnosis of pre-eclampsia might help triage those who would need magnesium sulphate to prevent eclampsia and those with whom intensive blood pressure control is needed to prevent pulmonary oedema. Identifying women at higher risk for these complications may enable limited resources to be used more efficiently.

For further information:

Pauli Van Heerden, Catherine A. Cluver, Karl Bergman, Lina Bergman "Blood pressure as a risk factor for eclampsia and pulmonary oedema in pre-eclampsia" Pregnancy Hypertension: An International Journal of Women's Cardiovascular Health 26 (2021) 2–7.