Preeclampsia is a condition that can occur in pregnant women

34. Preeclampsia is a condition that can occur in pregnant women that results in elevated blood pressure. While the origin of preeclampsia is unclear, there is evidence that substances that cause vasoconstriction may be released in the blood. Describe how these substances will increase blood pressure. Then discuss why this could be life threatening for both mother and child.

Solution

Pre-eclampsia, a Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy is one of the most common cause of death during Preganancy. Substances called vasoconstrictors can reduce the calibre of blood vessels, thereby increasing blood pressure. For example: Angiotensin II is a vasoconstrictor which will increase bloodflow to the heart and subsequently the preload, ultimately increasing the cardiac output and it also causes an increase in the release of aldosterone from the adrenal glands. Increased sympathetic stimulation and epinephrine released from the adrenal medulla cause some vasoconstriction in the blood vessels of the skin and viscera. Consequently, resistance to blood flow in skeletal muscle decreases, and resistance to blood flow in the skin and viscera increases somewhat. Therefore blood is shunted from the viscera and the skin through the vessels in skeletal muscles. It is also said that Endothelin plays a major role in preeclampsia which is a vasoconstrictor endothelin.

Thromboxane is a potent stimulator of platelet aggregation and vasoconstriction, and as such, it has been implicated in several pathologic conditions that are associated with thrombosis and vascular congestion, including preeclampsia. Later defective prostaglandin production or a loss of response to prostaglandins contributes to the development of pregnancy-induced hypertension. Other reason involves increased oxidative stress and the imbalance between thromboxane and prostacyclin

Women with pre-eclampsia do not usually develop frank hypertension until the second half of gestation, but vasoconstrictor influences may be present earlier.

This could be life threatening for Mother because

For Baby: