Intensive Care Management of Severe Pre-eclampsia and Eclampsia

Pregnancy induced hypertension is a common medical complication of pregnancy and is a significant contribution to maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis, increased patient awareness and appropriate medical intervention, especially intensive care management of severe preeclampsia and eclampsia have led to marked fall in mortality in this group of patients. In this review article, the pathophysiology, effect on different organ systems, choice of drugs (anticonvulsants and antihpertensives), support of a critically ill patient in the intensive care, monitoring, anaesthetic considerations and management of the neonate are discussed.