Control of vascular resistance in the maternal and feto-placental arterial beds.
This review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of the mechanisms involved in the physiological adaptation of the vasculature to pregnancy. Profound changes occur both systemically and in discrete circulations in the mother, but it is debatable which factors are responsible. Similarly, whilst the feto-placental circulation must be substantially controlled by humoral mechanisms, the exact role of each potential contributor is not known. In view of the hitherto unappreciated and very important role of the endothelium-derived vasodilator, nitric oxide, in the control of peripheral vascular resistance, considerable emphasis will be placed on the many recent investigations in this area.
Poston
L
L
UMDS Smooth Muscle Group, United Medical and Dental School, Guy's Hospital, London, U.K.
McCarthy
A L
AL
Ritter
J M
JM
D000818:Animals; D001158:Arteries / Q000502:physiology; D001810:Blood Volume; D015777:Eicosanoids / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange / Q000502:physiology*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D010920:Placenta / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000378:metabolism; D013928:Thromboxane A2 / Q000378:metabolism; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
D015777:Eicosanoids; D011453:Prostaglandins; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D013928:Thromboxane A2