OBJECTIVE: To assess endothelial function in normal pregnancy by non-invasive methods. METHODS: Flow-mediated dilatation of the brachial artery was measured by ultrasonography in 157 women with normal singleton pregnancies between 10 and 40 weeks' gestation and 19 non-pregnant controls. RESULTS: Flow-mediated dilatation in the non-pregnant controls was 6.42 +/- 2.45%. In pregnant women, between 10 and 30 weeks, the mean flow-mediated dilatation (8.84 +/- 3.18%) was significantly higher than the non-pregnant controls (P = 0.002), but after 30 weeks of gestation there was a decrease to prepregnancy levels. Resting vessel diameter and blood flow were significantly increased in pregnancy, mainly after 30 weeks' gestation (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively). Flow-mediated dilatation was significantly correlated to resting vessel diameter and reactive hyperemia. CONCLUSION: Normal pregnancy is associated with enhanced endothelial function which is apparent from at least 10 weeks' gestation.
OBJECTIVE: To assess endothelial function in normal pregnancy by non-invasive methods. METHODS: Flow-mediated dilatation of the brachial artery was measured by ultrasonography in 157 women with normal singleton pregnancies between 10 and 40 weeks' gestation and 19 non-pregnant controls. RESULTS: Flow-mediated dilatation in the non-pregnant controls was 6.42 +/- 2.45%. In pregnant women, between 10 and 30 weeks, the mean flow-mediated dilatation (8.84 +/- 3.18%) was significantly higher than the non-pregnant controls (P = 0.002), but after 30 weeks of gestation there was a decrease to prepregnancy levels. Resting vessel diameter and blood flow were significantly increased in pregnancy, mainly after 30 weeks' gestation (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively). Flow-mediated dilatation was significantly correlated to resting vessel diameter and reactive hyperemia. CONCLUSION: Normal pregnancy is associated with enhanced endothelial function which is apparent from at least 10 weeks' gestation.
Authors: Juan Torrado; Yanina Zócalo; Ignacio Farro; Federico Farro; Claudio Sosa; Santiago Scasso; Justo Alonso; Daniel Bia Journal: Int J Reprod Med Date: 2015-09-02
Authors: Nils Thomas Songstad; Maria C Serrano; Vasilis Sitras; David Johansen; Davis Johansen; Kirsti Ytrehus; Ganesh Acharya Journal: PLoS One Date: 2014-07-09 Impact factor: 3.240