Volume homeostasis in normal and hypertensive human pregnancy

In this chapter are outlined the many factors involved in the regulation of sodium and volume homeostasis in normal human pregnancy and their interrelationships. New developments concerning the role of sodium/potassium ATPase, atrial natriuretic peptide, arginine vasopressin and angiotensin II as regulatory forces are outlined, together with a review of earlier work. Abnormalities found in women with, or destined for, PAH are described and their significance is discussed.