Integrating Acupuncture for Preeclampsia with Severe Features and HELLP Syndrome in a High-Risk Antepartum Care Setting

Abstract

Background: Acupuncture is known to reduce blood pressure (BP) in essential hypertension. Acupuncture has been used for addressing several issues in pregnancy, such as morning sickness, labor preparation, and turning breeches. To date, there are very few studies on the use of acupuncture for preeclampsia in high-risk pregnancy. Case: The subject of this single case report was a 35-year-old primipara, who developed preeclampsia with severe features and HELLP [Hemolysis, ELevated liver enzymes, Low Platelet count] syndrome at 27 weeks and 6 days of gestation. She was admitted to an antepartum high-risk hospital unit and was treated with acupuncture and acupressure for a 5-week duration. Results: This patient experienced a temporary reduction in blood pressure and was able to maintain her pregnancy until 34 weeks. The patient had a vaginal birth of a baby girl with Apgar scores of 8 and 9. Conclusions: By reducing the patient's BP, increasing her uterine blood flow, and providing renal protection and hepatoprotection, acupuncture was effective for increasing the length of gestation in a high-risk pregnancy to improve the viability of the baby.

The Role of Research in Guiding Treatment for Women’s Health: A Qualitative Study of Traditional Chinese Medicine Acupuncturists

“…Although practitioners spoke of wanting to showcase what they saw as the benefits of acupuncture within their practice, the descriptive nature of a case history lacks the capacity to link cause and effect. However, it does allow for clinical observation, which can be valuable for practitioners [ 45 ], illustrating complexities of real-life practice and providing insights into the mind of the practitioner when diagnosing and treating [ 46 ]. With the availability of the CARE (for CAse REports) guidelines that include a specific checklist, a quality framework now exists for practitioners to use [ 47 ].…”

Do Case Reports and Case Series Generate Clinical Discoveries About Preeclampsia? A Systematic Review

“…We present a further breakdown of each classification in Table 3 . Of the included studies with a clinical discovery aspect, the following interventions were considered notable ones in the assessment of the reviewers: sildenafil administration in a patient with periviable pregnancy and preeclampsia; 70 selective fetal reduction in cases of discordance in dichorionic twin gestations in patients with preeclampsia or HELLP syndrome; 87 , 92 continuous positive airway pressure in patients with obesity, obstructive sleep apnea, preeclampsia, and a high risk of developing severe preeclampsia; 107 , 159 acupuncture therapy in a patient with preeclampsia; 109 plasma exchange therapy for patients with HELLP syndrome; 121 , 132 eculizumab in a patient with HELLP syndrome; 117 eplerenone in a patient with obesity, obstructive sleep apnea, and preeclampsia; 129 pravastatin in a patient with HELLP syndrome; 137 and dydrogesterone to prevent preeclampsia in a patient with a history of recurrent preeclampsia. 150 …”

Effects of Auriculotherapy on Gestational Hypertension: Randomized Controlled Trial Study

“…Studies on the effectiveness of ear acupressure on gestational hypertension are restricted. Kocher and Hobbs[ 24 ] conducted a similar study, and the effect of ear acupressure on lowering blood pressure in a pregnant woman with preeclampsia has been reported; a nulliparous pregnant woman with pre-eclampsia was treated with auriculotherapy for 5 weeks in this case study. The result of so-called study, similar to the present study, was a reduction in blood pressure.…”