Randomized Study of Nimodipine Versus Magnesium Sulfate in the Prevention of Eclamptic Seizures in Patients With Severe Preeclampsia

You may be eligible if

• PROTOCOL ENTRY CRITERIA:
• -Disease Characteristics--
• Histologically diagnosed severe preeclampsia at risk for eclamptic convulsions with the following criteria:
• Blood pressure greater than 160/110 mmHg OR Mean arterial pressure of 126 mmHg
• Proteinuria greater than 5 g/24 hr
• Epigastric pain OR Right upper quadrant pain AST/ALT greater than 70 U/L
• Severe headache and/or scotomata
• Thrombocytopenia as evidenced by: Platelet count less than 100,000/mm3 Disseminated intravascular coagulation Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia Oliguria (less than 400 mL/day or 30 mL/hr)
• Pulmonary edema
• -Prior/Concurrent Therapy--
• No prior/concurrent magnesium sulfate or dihydropyridine agents
• No other concurrent antiseizure medications
• -Patient Characteristics--
• Age: Not specified
• Performance status: Not specified
• Hematopoietic: See Disease Characteristics
• Hepatic: See Disease Characteristics
• Renal: No severe renal failure See Disease Characteristics
• Cardiovascular: No history of angina or myocardial infarction No cardiac dysfunction No history or sign of congestive cardiac failure No arrhythmia with ventricular rate less than 60 bpm See Disease Characteristics
• Pulmonary: See Disease Characteristics
• -Other:--
• No severe mental or physical disorder that may affect therapy
• Not allergic to drugs with chemical structure similar to nimodipine or magnesium sulfate
• No evidence of fetal distress or fetal anomalies