Reduced uterine perfusion pressure (RUPP) model for studying cardiovascular-renal dysfunction in response to placental ischemia.

Despite being one of the leading causes of maternal death and a major contributor of maternal and perinatal morbidity, the mechanisms responsible for the pathogenesis of preeclampsia are unknown. The initiating event in preeclampsia has been postulated to be reduced uteroplacental perfusion. Placental ischemia/hypoxia is thought to lead to widespread activation/dysfunction of the maternal vascular endothelium, vasoconstriction and hypertension.