Feto-maternal indicators of cardiac dysfunction as a justification for the cardiac origins for pre-eclampsia

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Obstetrics
• Genetics

Background:

• Pre-eclampsia pathophysiology is debated, with placental dysfunction as a traditional theory.
• A cardiac origin for pre-eclampsia is increasingly proposed.
• An association exists between fetal congenital cardiovascular disease and pre-eclampsia, but mechanisms are unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review biophysical and biochemical markers of cardiac dysfunction in maternal and fetal cardiac disease.
• To identify overlaps between these markers and predictors of pre-eclampsia.
• To explore common pathophysiologic mechanisms linking cardiovascular disease and pre-eclampsia.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on biophysical markers (echocardiography, Doppler indices).
• Review of current literature on biochemical markers (proteomic, metabolomic, genetic/transcriptomic).
• Analysis of shared pathways including inflammation, anti-angiogenesis imbalance, endothelial damage, and oxidative stress.

Main Results:

• Identified various biophysical and biochemical markers of cardiac dysfunction.
• Highlighted overlaps between cardiac dysfunction markers and pre-eclampsia predictors.
• Demonstrated common underlying pathways in cardiovascular disease and pre-eclampsia.

Conclusions:

• Cardiac dysfunction may play a significant role in pre-eclampsia.
• Shared inflammatory, anti-angiogenic, endothelial, and oxidative stress pathways link cardiovascular disease and pre-eclampsia.
• Further investigation into these common pathways is crucial for understanding the pathophysiology.