Preeclampsia, a pregnancy complication characterized by dangerously high blood pressure, is the focus of several recent research efforts. A new blood filtration treatment, a novel drug candidate, and a specialized postpartum care program each offer potential approaches for managing different stages of the condition.
Blood Filtration for Severe Early Preeclampsia
Investigators at Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University have developed and tested a treatment for pregnant women with severe early preeclampsia. The results were published in Nature Medicine.
How It Works
- The treatment targets a protein called sFlt-1, produced by the placenta, which damages blood vessels and triggers preeclampsia symptoms.
- Researchers engineered a specialized immune protein that binds to sFlt-1 and incorporated it into a blood-filtering device.
- The device uses extracorporeal apheresis—similar to kidney dialysis—to filter the mother's blood, removing excess sFlt-1 without affecting other essential blood components.
Key Results
- The treatment was evaluated in 16 women.
- Patients experienced improvement in blood pressure.
- Babies continued to grow normally during the treatment period.
- Patients remained pregnant for an average of 10 additional days—more than double the time observed in untreated patients.
Context
- Preeclampsia is marked by high blood pressure that can be life-threatening. In its severe early form (occurring before 34 weeks), physicians often must deliver babies prematurely to protect the mother.
- Currently, the only cure for preeclampsia is delivery of the baby.
Expert Statements
- Co-corresponding author Ananth Karumanchi stated that additional days in the womb can improve outcomes for premature infants.
- Co-corresponding author Ravi Thadhani said, "By lowering sFLt-1, we were able to stabilize patients and extend pregnancy."
- Sarah Kilpatrick, an expert in maternal-fetal medicine, noted that this approach could provide clinicians with more flexibility in managing these cases.
Study Limitations
Researchers noted that despite the positive results, the treatment is experimental and requires testing in larger clinical trials.
Drug Candidate DM199 for Preeclampsia
A new drug, DM199, developed by DiaMedica Therapeutics, is under investigation as a potential treatment for preeclampsia. A trial was conducted by researchers at Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa.
Background
- Preeclampsia is a leading cause of maternal mortality worldwide, accounting for at least 42,000 deaths annually.
- Standard high blood pressure medications used during pregnancy can potentially reduce blood flow to the fetus.
How the Drug Works & Trial Results
- DM199 works by stabilizing the lining of blood vessels.
- Initial trial phases involved administering increasing doses to pregnant women with dangerously high blood pressure who were scheduled for early delivery.
- The first 15 patients showed no significant effect. The 16th patient, who received a higher dose, experienced stabilization and reduction in her high blood pressure.
- Subsequent patients on similar or incrementally higher doses also showed positive responses.
- Tests indicate that DM199 does not appear to cross into the placenta or breastmilk.
Expert Commentary
Medical professionals Corneila Graves and Kara Rood emphasized that this was a small study and advocated for larger trials across a broader population.
- Abigail Hendricks, a participant in the trial, reported her blood pressure slowly dropped after receiving the drug before her induced delivery. She delivered a healthy baby boy.
Postpartum Care & Long-Term Risk Management
NYU Langone Health’s Cardio-Obstetrics Program provides care for patients who have experienced preeclampsia, focusing on long-term cardiovascular health after delivery.
A Case in Point
- Luyba Caloras, a 35-year-old Brooklyn resident, was diagnosed with postpartum preeclampsia shortly after delivering her son on February 3, 2024, at NYU Langone Health. She had no prior history of heart problems.
- After initial discharge, her blood pressure rose, prompting her return to the hospital for diagnosis and treatment.
- Her condition stabilized, and she transitioned into NYU Langone's Cardio-Obstetrics Program.
Program Structure
- The program is co-directed by cardiologist Dr. Anais Hausvater and maternal-fetal medicine specialist Dr. Christina A. Penfield.
- It integrates experts from various fields to provide care before, during, and after pregnancy, extending through the "fourth trimester" with specialized follow-ups via the Postpartum Cardiovascular Health Program.
- Through this program, Caloras learned that her postpartum preeclampsia was an indicator of potential future heart disease.
- Dr. Hausvater identified chronic high blood pressure as a long-term effect and initiated treatment with medication and lifestyle adjustments. Caloras maintained home blood pressure monitoring and regular follow-up care.
Subsequent Pregnancy Success
- When Caloras became pregnant again, her care plan was adapted based on her previous experience.
- She received high-risk obstetrics care from Dr. Kristine E. Brown alongside Dr. Hausvater.
- This approach included close blood pressure monitoring and preventive measures like low-dose aspirin to mitigate the risk of recurrent preeclampsia.
- On October 30, 2025, Caloras delivered a healthy daughter without experiencing preeclampsia.
Medical Context
Medical professionals increasingly recognize pregnancy as an indicator of long-term cardiovascular health.
Complications such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and preterm birth are now considered indicators of future heart disease risk.
- Hypertensive disorders affect approximately 1 in 8 pregnancies in the U.S. and significantly increase the risk of developing high blood pressure and heart disease later in life.
- The postpartum period is identified as a critical window for identifying and addressing these risks.
- Dr. Hausvater advised postpartum individuals, especially those with complications like preeclampsia, to monitor their health and maintain communication with their care team.