What is Preeclampsia?

Preeclampsia is a disorder of pregnancy, characterized by high blood pressure (hypertension) and excessive protein in the urine (proteinuria). Women with preeclampsia often experience swelling (edema); some experience low platelet count (thrombocytopenia) or liver function abnormalities.

What is the treatment for Preeclampsia?

Currently, the only treatment for preeclamptic women is induced childbirth. The average gestation for these pre-mature deliveries is generally less than 34 weeks. Babies delivered prior to 34 weeks are at considerably high risk for a variety of both immediate and long term medical conditions; therefore, the closer to term at delivery, the lower the risks due to premature birth. In pregnancies that are less than 34 weeks, the patient is administered medications to regulate her condition as much as possible, in an attempt to reach at least 34 weeks; however, once the preeclampsia has progressed to a certain severity, childbirth becomes necessary to protect the lives of both mother and child.

How is Preeclampsia detected?

The primary indicators of preeclampsia are proteinuria and edema in a hypertensive pregnant woman. The MIST OHMS^TM system can assist physicians to treat patients at risk for preeclampsia before onset, by applying impedance cardiography measurements to identify at risk patients. These patients can then be monitored more closely, and given medications to delay, and possibly avoid, the onset of preeclampsia.