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

Abstract

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.