Immunohistologic demonstration of endothelial disruption in acute atherosis in pre-eclampsia.

Acute atherosis is a vasculopathy described in maternal vessels in the uterus in pre-eclamptic pregnancies. We wished to document whether, and to what extent, endothelial disruption was present in acute atherosis. Using a standard streptavidin-biotin-peroxidase immunohistologic method, we found extensive endothelial disruption in 5 cases of acute atherosis. In 2 cases, there was aneurysmal formation associated with the acute atherosis and endothelial disruption in these 2 cases was focal and less extensive. All acute atherosis lesions were related to thrombosis. None of the women had taken aspirin. We suggest that studies on the maternal uteroplacental vasculature in women who have had aspirin during pregnancy should be performed.