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Review
. 2017 Aug;19(8):61.
doi: 10.1007/s11906-017-0757-7.

Pathophysiology and Current Clinical Management of Preeclampsia

Lorena M Amaral  1 , Kedra Wallace  2 , Michelle Owens  2 , Babbette LaMarca  3   4
Affiliations
Review

Pathophysiology and Current Clinical Management of Preeclampsia

Lorena M Amaral et al. Curr Hypertens Rep. 2017 Aug.

Abstract

Preeclampsia is characterized by blood pressure greater than 140/90 mmHg in the second half of pregnancy. This disease is a major contributor to preterm and low birth weight babies. The early delivery of the baby, which becomes necessary for maintaining maternal well-being, makes preeclampsia the leading cause for preterm labor and infant mortality and morbidity. Currently, there is no cure for this pregnancy disorder. The current clinical management of PE is hydralazine with labetalol and magnesium sulfate to slow disease progression and prevent maternal seizure, and hopefully prolong the pregnancy. This review will highlight factors implicated in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia and current treatments for the management of this disease.

Keywords: Endothelial dysfunction; Inflammation; Placental ischemia; Preeclampsia.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Placental ischemia leads to release of factors that play a role to pathophysiology of preeclampsia. Abbreviations: TH1 T helper cells type 1, TH2 T helper cells type 2, AT1-AA autoantibodies to angiotensin II type 1 receptor, ET-1 endothelin 1, sFlt-1 soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1, NO nitric oxide, IUGR uterine growth restriction
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Management of onset hypertension in pregnancy. Abbreviations: PE preeclampsia, HELLP hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count, IV intravenous, PO orally
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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