In a patient with preeclampsia, which condition could occur as a complication or reflection of the same pathophysiology?

In a patient with preeclampsia, which condition could occur as a complication or reflection of the same pathophysiology?

• A. Eclampsia
• B. Placental abruption
• C. DIC
• D. All of the above

Answer: (D)

Preeclampsia involves systemic endothelial dysfunction from abnormal placentation, leading to vasospasm, hypertension, and a proinflammatory state. This same pathophysiology can affect multiple organ systems and lead to serious complications. Seizures from cerebral edema and vasospasm describe eclampsia, which is a progression of the same disease process. Hypertensive damage and placental ischemia increase the risk of placental abruption, where the placenta prematurely separates from the uterine wall, causing bleeding and fetal distress. The widespread endothelial injury and tissue factor release in severe preeclampsia can trigger a consumptive coagulopathy, or disseminated intravascular coagulation, with bleeding and microthrombi throughout the circulation. Because these events all arise from the same underlying dysfunction, any of them can occur in the setting of preeclampsia, making all listed conditions possible complications.

Preeclampsia involves systemic endothelial dysfunction from abnormal placentation, leading to vasospasm, hypertension, and a proinflammatory state. This same pathophysiology can affect multiple organ systems and lead to serious complications. Seizures from cerebral edema and vasospasm describe eclampsia, which is a progression of the same disease process. Hypertensive damage and placental ischemia increase the risk of placental abruption, where the placenta prematurely separates from the uterine wall, causing bleeding and fetal distress. The widespread endothelial injury and tissue factor release in severe preeclampsia can trigger a consumptive coagulopathy, or disseminated intravascular coagulation, with bleeding and microthrombi throughout the circulation. Because these events all arise from the same underlying dysfunction, any of them can occur in the setting of preeclampsia, making all listed conditions possible complications.