Preeclampsia/eclampsia: an insight into the dilemma of treatment by the anesthesiologist.

A complicated and controversial subject in obstetrics i.e., toxemia of pregnancy is looked upon, both from an anesthesiological and obstetrical point of view. As pre-eclampsia and eclampsia involve immediate treatment and obstetric considerations, the choice between epidural and general anesthesia becomes necessary when cesarean section is contemplated. Apart from the pathophysiology of the vessel spasm as it is induced by preeclampsia, the therapeutic managements of fluid administration, the drugs of choice to treat hypertension as well as the technical aspects of anesthesia are reviewed.