Renin-angiotensin system during labor

Editorial: Pre-eclampsia and the kidney.

“…Plasma levels of renin, renin substrate, and angiotensin II are, however, no higher in pre-eclampsia than in normal pregnancy and may be lower"2 except perhaps at the very end of pregnancy.' 17 It is difficult to blame angiotensin deficiencyl8 for any of the features of pre-eclampsia when plasma angiotensin II levels are not raised above those in normal pregnancy. Pre-eclamptic women have poorly distensible arterioles,'9 and many of their abnormalities could be explained by a circulating pressor agent other than renin.…”