Vascular smooth muscle responses in pregnancy-induced hypertension

Despite numerous studies on cardiovascular changes associated with pregnancy-induced hypertension, the precise mechanisms underlying the increased peripheral vascular resistance remain poorly defined. A number of observations suggest that local mechanisms within the blood vessel wall could play a major role. Tony Ebeigbe and M. Ezimokhai highlight recent observations on changes within the vascular smooth muscle cell in preeclampsia as well as the effects of some vasoactive agents on critical control points within the vascular smooth muscle cell.