Actualities on prediction and prevention of preeclampsia - literature review

Abstract

Preeclampsia is and remains an actual subject of obstetrics regarding the associated immediate high risk of morbidity and mortality for both mother and future risk for cardiovascular disease. Many different strategies to prevent preeclampsia have been studied, but none of the reported results presented a widely effectiveness, until now. Possibility of predicting preeclampsia would have a significant impact in decreasing the incidence of cases with tragic outcome related to this condition. For late-onset preeclampsia there is no prediction method at this time, in this context, the suitable approach is the diagnosis as early as possible in order of a better outcome. Low-dose aspirin (LDA) administrated in the first trimester to patients who are at increased risk for pre-eclampsia is the only drug that has proven benefits for reducing the frequency of this condition and associated adverse outcomes. In terms of prophylaxis with low molecular weight heparin in combination with LDA or as a single treatment, results are controversial, additional studies being required. We intend to summarize the latest proposals regarding the measures that can be taken to prevent maternal and fetal complications that may occur as a result of the development of preeclampsia, methods of early diagnosis and characteristics of atypical forms of preeclampsia.