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Carotid arterial intima–media thickness and arterial stiffness in pre‐eclampsia: analysis with a radiofrequency ultrasound technique
Author(s) -
Yuan L.J.,
Xue D.,
Duan Y.Y.,
Cao T.S.,
Yang H.G.,
Zhou N.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
ultrasound in obstetrics and gynecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.202
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1469-0705
pISSN - 0960-7692
DOI - 10.1002/uog.12409
Subject(s) - medicine , arterial stiffness , eclampsia , pulse wave velocity , ultrasound , intima media thickness , blood pressure , preeclampsia , gestational age , cardiology , pregnancy , carotid arteries , radiology , biology , genetics
ABSTRACT Objective Whether arterial elasticity is reduced in pre‐eclampsia has been investigated only rarely. This study aimed to characterize in vivo the carotid arterial intima–media thickness (IMT) and mechanical properties in women with pre‐eclampsia by employing a radiofrequency ultrasound technique . Methods We included 22 late‐onset pre‐eclamptic pregnant women and 28 normotensive pregnant women who were matched for age (29 ± 6 vs 27 ± 3 , P = 0.09) and gestational age (36.0 ± 3.2 vs 35.8 ± 2.4 weeks , P = 0.802). All women were nulliparous with singleton pregnancy. The pre‐eclamptic women had a significantly higher arterial pressure than did the normotensive women ( P < 0.0001). All women underwent right common carotid arterial measurements with an ultrasound machine equipped with automatic Quality IMT (QIMT) and Quality Arterial Stiffness (QAS) capability. At follow‐up examination 18 months after parturition, measurements were repeated in 10 of the pre‐eclamptic women and 11 of the normotensive women . Results In pre‐eclamptic compared with normotensive pregnancy, carotid arterial IMT (459 ± 95 vs 351 ± 85 µm , P = 0.0001), internal diameter (7.8 ± 0.5 vs 7.2 ± 0.4 mm , P < 0.0001), pulse wave velocity (7.1 ± 1.7 vs 6.0 ± 1.5 m/s , P = 0.007), augmentation index (7.9 ± 9.2 vs − 5.0 ± 5.6% , P < 0.0001) and arterial wall tension (55.0 ± 6.5 vs 38.6 ± 4.9 mmHg/cm , P < 0.0001) were significantly greater, and the distensibility coefficient (0.020 ± 0.009 vs 0.029 ± 0.011 1/kPa , P = 0.006) was significantly smaller, remaining so after adjusting for body mass index and carotid arterial pressure. Eighteen months after parturition, carotid arterial internal diameter, pressure and wall tension remained greater in the pre‐eclamptic group . Conclusion Carotid arterial remodeling, including changes in arterial internal diameter and wall thickness, and arterial stiffening occur in pre‐eclampsia but this may reverse, to some extent, postpartum. QIMT and QAS techniques together could provide a comprehensive assessment of carotid arterial remodeling. Copyright © 2013 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd .