Pathophysiology of pre-eclampsia: update on the role of nitric oxide

Maki Kashiwagi1, Roland Zimmermann, Ernst Beinder

  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clinic of Obstetrics, University Hospital Zurich, Frauenklinikstrasse 10, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland. maki.kashiwagi@usz.ch

Women with chronic hypertension and pregnancy-induced hypertension are at substantial risk for developing pre-eclampsia/eclampsia, a disease with high fetomaternal morbidity and mortality. However, the etiology of this disease is still unknown. In this article, recent concepts on the pathophysiology of pre-eclampsia, with special attention to the role of nitric oxide, are reviewed.

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