[Microangiopathy in preeclampsia: the usefulness of the peripheral blood smear]

Endothelial dysfunction is a fundamental characteristic in the physiopathology of preeclampsia. Currently, a series of markers which explain endothelial dysfunction have been identified. The recognition of endothelial dysfunction has been used to realize an early diagnosis of preeclampsia, as soon as the classification of a possible prognosis. Nevertheless the detection of these markers is not accessible to the majority of hospitable centers that treat patients with preeclampsia. One indirect marker of endothelial dysfunction with a greater accessibility is the assessment of peripheral blood smear. Several studies had proved the presence of endothelial dysfunction by identification of red blood cells crenated in peripheral blood smear led us also to measure the impact in the evolution of the disease.