[Pathophysiology of preeclampsia]

Abstract

Preeclampsia is agestational complication that classically appears from the start of the second trimester and which is specific to humans. It is the consequence of a placenteric dysfunction causing the liberation into the maternal circulation of numerous substances leading to the activation, perhaps injury, of the maternal endothelium. This results in a maternal systemic hypertension, glomerulonephritis and increased vascular permeability. Recent works have allowed a better understanding of the pathophysiology of PE and with it, the hope for new screening tools and possible therapeutic strategies. This chapter illustrates the pathophysiological mechanisms of the impaired uterine vascular remodeling as well as the placenteric and endothelial dysfunctions during PE.