[Arterial stiffness detection in women with recent history of pre-eclampsia]

Hipertens Riesgo Vasc. 2024 Oct 9:S1889-1837(24)00091-6. doi: 10.1016/j.hipert.2024.07.007. Online ahead of print.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

Introduction: Preeclampsia (PE) is a complication of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, whose pathophysiology involves endothelial dysfunction. Early establishment of subclinical vascular lesions such as arterial stiffness (AS) could explain the development of cardiovascular disease later in life. AS can be assessed non-invasively using carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV), aortic systolic blood pressure (ao-SBP) and augmentation index (IAx). We aim to determine cf-PWV, ao-SBP and AIx in women who recently underwent PE and compare it with a control group.

Materials and methods: Cross-sectional study, carried out from 2022 to 2023 in Argentina. Group 1: women who developed PE.

Exclusion criteria: history of chronic hypertension, diabetes, autoimmune disease, chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, PE in previous pregnancies; treatment with calcium antagonists during pregnancy; treatment with calcium antagonists, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or diuretics in the postpartum period. Group 2: healthy postpartum periods. PWV-cf, ao-SBP and IAx were measured in the first 72hours postpartum using Aortic.

Results: Seventy-onewomen were included: Group 1 (n=30); Group 2 (n=41). Group 1 presented higher PWV-cf=6.70±0.68 vs. 5.41±0.48 m/s (P<.0001); ao-SBP=118.3±9.6 vs. 101.2±9.8mmHg (P<.0001); and IAu=22.7±10.7 vs. 9.3±11.9% (P<.0001). In Group 1 there were 25 of 30 women who presented AS parameters (OR=8.50; 95% CI=3.32-15.29; P<.0001).

Conclusion: Patients with a recent history of PE showed higher cf-PWV, ao-SBP and AIx values, compatible with AS.

Keywords: Arterial stiffness; Augmentation index; Central aortic systolic blood pressure; Posparto; Postpartum; Preeclampsia; Presión aórtica central; Pulse wave velocity; Rigidez arterial; Velocidad de onda de pulso; Índice de aumentación.

Publication types

  • English Abstract