Ultrasound and Furosemide for Preeclampsia

(PPPOCUS Trial)

This trial aims to improve care for new mothers with preeclampsia, a condition that causes high blood pressure after childbirth. Researchers will use a quick ultrasound scan to check for excess fluid in the body. If they find too much fluid, participants will receive a diuretic medicine called furosemide to help remove it. The goal is to speed up blood pressure recovery, reduce the need for medication, and decrease hospital readmissions. This trial seeks participants diagnosed with preeclampsia within 24 hours after giving birth. As a Phase 4 trial, this research focuses on understanding how the already FDA-approved treatment can benefit more patients.

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, if you are currently using diuretics for other conditions, you may not be eligible to participate.

Research has shown that furosemide, the treatment used in this study, is generally safe for individuals with preeclampsia, a pregnancy condition causing high blood pressure and other issues. Studies have found that furosemide can help lower blood pressure in women after childbirth. Compared to a placebo, women taking furosemide were 60% less likely to experience high blood pressure seven days postpartum.

Researchers are excited about using ultrasound-guided furosemide for preeclampsia because it offers a personalized and potentially more effective approach to managing this condition. Unlike standard treatments, which often focus on controlling blood pressure with medications like labetalol or methyldopa, this method uses point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) to tailor diuretic therapy based on specific hemodynamic criteria. By targeting excess fluid accumulation more precisely with either intravenous or oral furosemide, the treatment aims to reduce complications and improve recovery after delivery. This innovative approach could lead to faster and more targeted relief for patients suffering from preeclampsia.

Research has shown that furosemide, a medication that helps the body eliminate excess fluid, can control blood pressure in women with preeclampsia after childbirth. In this trial, participants will be divided into cohorts to receive either intravenous or oral furosemide. Studies have found that both injected and pill forms of furosemide significantly improve blood pressure control in these women. A short course of furosemide after giving birth effectively lowers blood pressure, often leading to quicker recovery. Specifically, taking furosemide as a pill has been noted to reduce the systolic blood pressure within the first few days after childbirth. These findings suggest that furosemide is a promising option for managing high blood pressure in women with preeclampsia after delivery.¹³⁶⁷⁸