Study note
Obstetrics & GynecologyHypertensive Disorders in Pregnancy

Endothelial dysfunction and organ effects in pre-eclampsia

THE CONTEXT
Pre-eclampsia involves vasoconstriction, endothelial dysfunction and disturbances of organ perfusion.

Vascular and organ manifestations

•
Vasoconstriction is associated with hypertension.
•
Uteroplacental perfusion disturbance is associated with fetal growth restriction.
•
Renal glomerular endothelial involvement is associated with oliguria.
•
Hepatic involvement includes ischemia, while cerebral involvement includes seizures.

Capillary leakage

•
Endothelial dysfunction with capillary leakage is associated with ascites, edema, proteinuria, pleural effusion and pulmonary edema.

Angiogenic signaling

•
The factor identified as sFit adheres to receptor sites of PlGF and VEGF, inducing endothelial dysfunction and preventing placental angiogenesis.
•
Low PlGF together with a high serum level of sFit-1 predicts the onset of endothelial dysfunction.
Explore this chapter
NEETx
Learn. Practise. Remember.
HomeSubjectsPapersStudy notesQuick quiz