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[Investigation on the causes of pregnancy induced hypertension]
Objective:
To investigate some possible causes of pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH).
Methods:
Plasma antithrombin (AT-II), fibronectin (Fn), plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) levels were determined at 26-28, 37-38 gestational weeks and 24-72 hours after delivery in 114 pregnant women whose mean arterial pressure (MAP) > or = 12 kPa or body weight index > or = 0.24. Women were longitudinally followed to observe whether PIH developed and its relation to the changes of the above parameters.
Results:
AT-II level decreased and Fn, PAI levels increased significantly in PIH patients (P < 0.01).
Conclusions:
The endothelial cells damage results in an increase of thromboxane A2 (TXA2), decrease of prostaglandin I2 (PGI2), and increase of PAI, Fn, decrease of AT-II, as well as the increase of angiotensin II sensitivity. All these changes lead to vascular constriction. As the results, renal and uterine placenta blood flow decrease, then PIH occurrs.
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