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Phosphodiesterase Inhibition in the Treatment of Preeclampsia: What Is New?

  • Preeclampsia (V Garovic, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

The present study intends to review the possibility of using phosphodiesterase inhibitors as a treatment option for preeclampsia, addressing potential risks and benefits.

Recent Findings

Preeclampsia is the most common hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, often responsible for severe maternal and fetal complications, which can lead to early pregnancy termination and death. Despite the numerous studies, its pathophysiology is still unclear, although it seems to involve a multiplicity of complex factors related to angiogenesis, ineffective vasodilation, oxidative stress, inflammatory cytokines, and endothelial dysfunction. It has been hypothetically suggested that the use of phosphodiesterase inhibitors is capable of improving placental and fetal perfusion, contributing to gestational scenario, by decreasing the symptomatology and severity of this syndrome. In this literature review, it has been found that most of the studies were conducted in animal models, and there is still lack of evidence supporting its use in clinical practice. Research in human indicates conflicting findings; randomized controlled trials were scarce and did not demonstrate any benefit in morbidity or mortality. Data regarding to pathophysiological and interventional research are described and commented in this review.

Summary

The use of phosphodiesterase inhibitors in the treatment of preeclampsia is controversial and should not be encouraged taking into account recent data.

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Funding

Source of Support

Laboratory of Nephrology receives support from the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), Research Support Foundation of the State of Rio Grande do Sul (FAPERGS), Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES), and the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS). Poli-de-Figueiredo is a CNPq researcher.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Postgraduate Program in Medicine and Health Sciences (Nephrology), Laboratory of Nephrology–School of Medicine, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil

    Anne Brandolt Larré, Fernando Sontag & Débora Montenegro Pasin

  2. Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil

    Nathália Paludo & Rayssa Ruszkowski do Amaral

  3. Department of Internal Medicine, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil

    Bartira Ercília Pinheiro da Costa & Carlos Eduardo Poli-de-Figueiredo

  4. São Lucas Hospital, Av Ipiranga 6690, Porto Alegre, 90 610 000, Brazil

    Bartira Ercília Pinheiro da Costa

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  1. Anne Brandolt Larré
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  2. Fernando Sontag
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  3. Débora Montenegro Pasin
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  4. Nathália Paludo
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  6. Bartira Ercília Pinheiro da Costa
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Contributions

Regarding authorship: Anne Brandolt Larré, Bartira Ercília Pinheiro da Costa, Fernando Sontag, and Carlos Eduardo Poli-de-Figueiredo worked at conception, planning, writing the paper, and final version revising. Débora Montenegro Pasin, Nathália Paludo, and Rayssa Ruszkowski do Amaral worked at planning, writing the paper, and final version revising.

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Correspondence to Bartira Ercília Pinheiro da Costa.

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All reported studies/experiments with human or animal subjects performed by the authors have been previously published and complied with all applicable ethical standards (including Helsinki declaration and its amendments, institutional/national research committee standards, and international/national/institutional guidelines).

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Preeclampsia

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Larré, A.B., Sontag, F., Pasin, D.M. et al. Phosphodiesterase Inhibition in the Treatment of Preeclampsia: What Is New?. Curr Hypertens Rep 20, 83 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11906-018-0883-x

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