Authors: Gilbert, Jeffrey S; Nijland, Mark J; Knoblich, Penny

Source: Expert Review of Cardiovascular Therapy, Volume 6, Number 10, November 2008 , pp. 1367-1377(11)

Publisher: Expert Reviews

Abstract:

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy continue to be a significant source of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality, and recent evidence suggests that the incidence of preeclampsia (PE) is increasing. Recent epidemiological studies indicate that the effects of PE may persist long after pregnancy, in both the mother and the offspring, as increased incidence of cardiovascular disease. The last decade has produced new insights into the pathogenesis of PE. The initiating event in PE appears to be impaired placental perfusion and subsequent placental ischemia, which results in the elaboration of numerous factors. Factors such as soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1, soluble endoglin and the angiotensin II type-1 receptor autoantibodies contribute to maternal endothelial and cardiovascular dysfunction, marked by increased reactive oxygen species and decreased bioavailable VEGF, nitric oxide and prostacyclin. However, the importance of the various endothelial and humoral factors that mediate these changes during PE remain to be elucidated.

Keywords: cardiac; cytokines; pregnancy; VEGF

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1586/14779072.6.10.1367

Affiliations: 1: Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School-Duluth and the Duluth Medical Research Institute, Duluth, MN 55812, USA., Email: jgilbert@d.umn.edu

Publication date: 2008-11-01

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• Expert Review of Cardiovascular Therapy provides expert commentary on the clinical applications of the new medicines, therapeutic agents and diagnostics in cardiovascular disease. Coverage inculdes drug therapy, heart disease, vascular disorders, hypertension, cholesterol in cardiovascular disease, heart disease, stroke, heart failure and cardiovascular surgery.
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