Chapter 21 - Angiogenic factors and preeclampsia

Summary

This chapter focuses on the emerging role of angiogenic and antiangiogenic factors in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia and how these factors may play an important role in mediating the clinical features of the disease. Preeclampsia is characterized by new-onset hypertension and proteinuria usually after 20 weeks of gestation. It is likely that angiogenic disturbances exist at the feto-maternal interface and in the placental bed as the establishment of the placental vasculature and the vascular remodeling of maternal vessels are interwined processes. Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) plays a central role in angiogenesis as well as in vasculogenesis. It has long been recognized that preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) share many common clinical and pathological features. Both preeclampsia and IUGR have been shown to have long-term health consequences for both mother and child. Reports say that 40% of former preeclampsia patients had microalbuminuria 3-5 years postpregnancy.