Preeclampsia y defecto cardiaco fetal: ¿Existe una asociación? Revisión de la evidencia

Abstract

Introduction: Preeclampsia (PE) is a complex multisystem disorder caused by an abnormal placental angiogenesis. Congenital heart disease (CHD) is one of the most common structural defects in newborn infants. Recently, several studies have identified an imbalance in the levels of proangiogenic and antiangiogenic factors in umbilical blood of newborn infants with CHD similar to those found in the blood of women with PE, suggesting a possible association. Objective: To review the available scientific evidence about the relationship between the PE and the development of CHD in newborn infants. Method: A search was conducted in Scopus and Medline/PubMed databases using the terms "pre-eclampsia" and "congenital heart defects". Four articles that linked PE and CHD were selected and reviewed in full text. Only analytical observational studies were found (1 prevalence study, 1 case-control study and 2 cohort studies), published between 2014 and 2016. Results: Early onset PE (<34 weeks) was the most important risk factor for the development of CHD in newborn infants. The severity of a heart defect is associated with the intensity and the onset time of imbalances in the angiogenic factors. Conclusion: We found relevant evidence on the possible association between PE and CHD. Hypertensive condition and endothelial changes conditioned by this seem to be linked to increased risk for the development of CHD instead of exposure to antihypertensive drugs.