Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific syndrome that
affects many organ systems and is recognized by new
onset of hypertension and proteinuria after 20 weeks of
gestation. It is estimated to complicate 2–8% of all pregnancies.
2 Although the precise cause is unknown, the
pathophysiologic processes underlying this disorder are
described as occurring in two stages.5 The first stage is
characterized by reduced placental perfusion, possibly
related to abnormal placentation, with impaired
trophoblast invasion and inadequate remodeling of the
uterine spiral arteries. The second stage refers to the
maternal systemic manifestations characterized by
inflammatory, metabolic, and thrombotic responses that
converge to alter vascular function, which can result in
multiorgan damage.