[Preeclampsia: A challenge also for cardiologists]

Abstract

Due to its short-term consequences on perinatal outcome, preeclampsia has been long regarded as an obstetrical disease, strictly confined to a management by OB/GYNs. It has been now widely accepted that preeclampsia is most a systemic inflammatory and systemic vascular disease during pregnancy and then a lifelong risk factor for subsequent cardiovascular event in women's life. The aim of this review is to propose an overview in the current state-of-art in definition, early identification and management of preeclampsia. We will also discuss the growing evidence that support that cardiologists must be fully involved in screening and prevention of preeclampsia during pregnancy and beyond in the subsequent medical follow-up of women who have experienced a preeclampsia.

Keywords: Cardiovascular risk; Hypertension; Preeclampsia; Prevention; Prévention; Prééclampsie; Risque cardiovasculaire; Santé des femmes; Women health.