New Hope for Preeclampsia: Treatment Trials and Long-Term Heart Care
Treatment Trials Show Promise for Severe Early Preeclampsia
Two distinct experimental therapies are being investigated for treating preeclampsia, with early-stage trials reporting positive results.
sFlt-1 Removal Therapy
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University have developed a treatment targeting the protein sFlt-1, which is produced by the placenta and is known to damage blood vessels. The therapy uses a blood-filtering device containing a specialized immune protein that binds to sFlt-1. The procedure, similar to kidney dialysis, is designed to remove excess sFlt-1 from the mother's blood without affecting other components.
The early-stage international study, published in Nature Medicine, evaluated the treatment in 16 women with severe early preeclampsia (diagnosed before 34 weeks).
Results indicated that patients' blood pressure improved, babies continued to grow normally, and pregnancies were extended for an average of 10 additional days. The study authors noted this is more than double the time seen in untreated patients.
Currently, the only known cure for preeclampsia is delivery of the baby. Co-corresponding author Ananth Karumanchi stated that even a few extra days in the womb can improve outcomes for premature infants.
Researchers caution that the treatment is experimental and requires testing in larger clinical trials.
DM199 Drug Therapy
DiaMedica Therapeutics is developing a drug called DM199, which is designed to treat preeclampsia by stabilizing the lining of blood vessels. Researchers at Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa, conducted a trial to assess its efficacy.
The trial involved administering increasing doses of the drug 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 a stabilization and reduction in her high blood pressure.
- Subsequent patients on similar or higher doses also showed positive responses.
Tests indicate that DM199 does not appear to cross the placenta or enter breastmilk.
Medical professionals, including Cornelia Graves and Kara Rood, stated that this was a small study and called for larger trials across a broader population to determine if the medication can safely prolong pregnancies.
Postpartum Care Programs Address Long-Term Heart Risks
Medical institutions are developing programs to manage the long-term cardiovascular risks associated with preeclampsia. The condition is a hypertensive disorder affecting approximately 1 in 8 pregnancies in the U.S. and is considered an indicator of future heart disease risk. The postpartum period is identified as a critical window for addressing these risks.
A 35-year-old Brooklyn resident, Luyba Caloras, was diagnosed with postpartum preeclampsia after delivering her son on February 3, 2024, at NYU Langone Health.
After her condition stabilized, she transitioned into NYU Langone's Cardio-Obstetrics Program, which integrates experts from various fields to provide care before, during, and after pregnancy. The program includes specialized follow-ups through a Postpartum Cardiovascular Health Program.
Through the program, Caloras learned that her condition indicated a potential for future heart disease. Cardiologist Dr. Anais Hausvater identified chronic high blood pressure as a long-term effect and initiated treatment. Caloras continued with home blood pressure monitoring and follow-up care.
When Caloras became pregnant again, her care plan was adapted. She received high-risk obstetrics care from maternal-fetal medicine specialist Dr. Kristine E. Brown and Dr. Hausvater. The care included close blood pressure monitoring and low-dose aspirin to mitigate the risk of recurrent preeclampsia. On October 30, 2025, Caloras delivered a healthy daughter without experiencing preeclampsia.
The Bigger Picture
Medical professionals increasingly recognize pregnancy as a "stress test" that can reveal insights into long-term cardiovascular health. Complications such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and preterm birth are considered indicators of future heart disease risk.
Dr. Hausvater advises postpartum individuals, especially those with complications like preeclampsia, to monitor their health and maintain communication with their care team.