[Controlled trial of preventive treatment of preeclampsia. Preliminary results]

We selected 100 patients at high risk for having preeclampsia and/or intrauterine growth retardation, on the basis of their past obstetrical history. At three months, they were randomly allocated to treatment group (group A) receiving dipyridamole (300 mg/day) and low dose aspirin (150 mg/day) until delivery, or control group (group B). Age and parity were similar in both groups. 90 patients have delivered at this time. The pregnancy was normal in 54% of patients in group A and 23% in group B (p less than 0.01). Preeclampsia occurred in 6 patients in group A, none in group B (p less than 0.01). Fetal loss occurred in 5 patients in group B, none in group A (p less than 0.01). Duration of pregnancy, as well as fetal and placental weights were significantly higher in group A, and IUGR significantly less frequent. It is concluded that inhibition of platelet aggregation, when used early in pregnancy, may have a significant protective effect against preeclampsia and IUGR in high risk subjects.