Abstract
Preeclampsia remains a leading cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality in the United States and worldwide. Despite its significant prevalence (5% of all otherwise normal pregnancies may be affected), there is no early pregnancy screening test to recognize those at risk. Further, once diagnosed, there is no effective treatment beyond delivery. Emerging data are beginning to uncover the pathogenesis of this complex disease. In this review, the clinical presentation, current management, new evidence regarding pathogenesis, and future possibilities for screening and therapy will be discussed.
Keywords: Preeclampsia, eclampsia, pregnancy induced hypertension, pathogenesis, dysfunction, thrombocytopenia, seizures, norepinephrine, angiotensin II, Hypertension, Chronic hypertension, high blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, Proteinuria, Gestational hypertension, transient hyper- tension, dipstick urinalysis, urinary tract infection, creatinine excretion, cerebral edema, hemolytic anemia, hepatocellular injury, pulmonary edema, neurologic disturbances, placental abruption, hemolysis, aminotransferase, HELLP syndrome, disseminated intravascular coagulation, thrombophilias, trophoblastic disease, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, renal disease, medications, magnesium sulfate, anti-hypertensive, Hydralazine, Methyldopa, Atenolol, magnesium sulfate therapy, muscular paralysis, calcium gluconate, multiple gestations, abruptio placentae, Endothelial dysfunction, fms-like tyrosine kinase-1, vascular endothelial growth factor, placental growth factor, anti-angiogenic factors, glomerular endotheliosis, 2-methoxyoestradiol, catechol-O-methyltransferase
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