Dynamic studies on changes in placental structure and blood flow in an animal model of preeclampsia using high resolution MRI

The placenta appears to be central in the aetiology of preeclampsia. It has been postulated that reduced placental perfusion as a result of aberrant cytotrophoblast invasion and remodelling of the maternal spiral arteries is the initiating event that leads to the widespread dysfunction of the maternal vascular endothelium. This study presents our initial results into the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to directly examine murine placental structure and placental blood flow in normal pregnancy and in preeclampsia.