Obstetrics and Gynecology Commons^™

The Plasma Renin-Angiotensin System In Preeclampsia: Effects Of Magnesium Sulfate., S. Sipes, C. Weiner, Thomas Gellhaus, J. Goodspeed

Thomas M Gellhaus

Two groups of women were studied in a prospective longitudinal fashion to determine the effects of a 2.5-hour infusion of magnesium sulfate upon the renin-angiotensin system. Serum magnesium concentration, angiotensin-converting enzyme concentration, and plasma renin activity were measured at uniform intervals in women with either preeclampsia or preterm labor. Plasma renin activity was significantly lower (3.9 +/- 2.2 versus 6.1 +/- 1.8 ng/mL/minute; P = .004) and angiotensin-converting enzyme significantly higher (47.1 +/- 14 versus 34.0 +/- 10 U/mL; P = .008) in women with preeclampsia than in those with preterm labor. Magnesium infusion was associated with a sustained decline …