Use of supine pressor test to prevent gestational hypertension in primigravid women

The supine pressor (roll-over) test was performed on 62 nulliparous patients under 20 years of age at conception. The 28 patients (45%) with positive tests were treated to prevent the development of gestational hypertension. Four of those with a positive test and two of those with a negative test developed gestational hypertension. Compared with a composite of other reported studies of this test in which the patients were not treated, our results indicated a statistically significant reduction in the incidence of gestational hypertension. The supine pressor test appears to be useful clinically in young nulliparous women.