[Physiopathology of pregnancy-induced hypertension]

Even though multiple factors are involved in arterial blood pressure elevation, during pregnancy-induced hypertension normal physiologic processes are occurring in the uteroplacental unit. These appear probably very early in pregnancy. Treatment of pregnancy-induced hypertension at the present time is directed simply at lowering the blood pressure. It should be emphasized that only one placebo-controlled study has demonstrated a beneficial effect of antihypertensive treatment for the fetus in moderate pregnancy-induced hypertension. Future treatment very likely will be preventive, administered from the onset of pregnancy in a high-risk patient.