A review of the pathophysiology and treatment of pre-eclampsia indicates that vasospasm and vascular hyperreactivity are important elements in the disease process and its control. Five requirements for a therapeutic agent in pre-eclampsia are identified: control of generalized vasospasm, hypertension, and eclamptic convulsions, maintenance of placental perfusion, and lack of adverse effects on the fetus/neonate. Calcium channel blocking agents are well known arteriolar vasodilators and inhibitors of coronary artery vasospasm, and appear to possess qualities relevant to these therapeutic requirements for pre-eclampsia. It is proposed that calcium channel blocking agents may be effective agents in the management of pre-eclampsia.