Dear Colleagues,
Pre-eclampsia (PE) is one of the most common causes of maternal and foetal mortality and morbidity worldwide, and effects approximately 2-8% of all pregnancy cases. Although cardiovascular (CV) risk further increases after PE, a direct causative relationship between PE and CV has not yet been determined. It is known that pregnancy itself causes some alterations in the CV system that resolve after delivery, while those symptoms caused by PE appear to persist even after child birth. Foetal growth restriction (FGR) is related to PE, but can also be present in normotensive women, and carries an uncertain CV risk. Recently, several studies involving women without CV risk factors analysed the CV consequences of PE at short-to-medium term after delivery. Women with a history of PE, especially early-onset PE, are characterized by endothelial dysfunction, arterial stiffness, altered elastic properties of the ascending aorta, biventricular and left atrial myocardial contractility impairment, myocardial fibrosis, altered ventricular-arterial coupling, and an inappropriate left ventricular mass. All these issues help to explain, as demographical studies have already suggested, why PE is a risk factor for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. A similar conclusion can also be drawn for FGR. However, several areas of uncertainty still exist concerning the role of the CV system in regards to causes, and consequences, of PE/FGR, as well as potential therapeutic strategies for these patients. These are the main themes of this Special Issue.
Dr. Edoardo Sciatti and Dr. Rossana Orabona
Guest Editors
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