Denisa Maceková, Oliver Rácz, Štefan Lukačín
Preeclampsia (PE) is a specific multisystemic and multifactorial complication of pregnancy defined by hypertension and
proteinuria. Despite the existence of the symptoms and various risk factors (parity, age, body mass index, presence
of PE in the previous pregnancy or in the family, multiple gestation) there are not known early indicators and specific
markers of PE. Under the physiological conditions the placenta is a source of many factors having an effect on normal
function of endothelium (endothelial growth factor – VEGF, placental factor – PIGF and its receptor, soluble anti-angiogenetic
factor – sFlt-1). They probably play an important role in the pathogenesis of PE. These factors could be used as
markers of endothelial cell dysfunction and for early diagnosis of menacing PE.