Hisaaki Kobayashi1, Gregory Reid2, Marie Hadfield2. 1. Department of Obstetrics, Nishisaitama chuo National Hospital, Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan; Department of Gynecology, Nishisaitama Chuo National Hospital, Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan. Electronic address: koba9akira@hotmail.com. 2. Department of Obstetrics, University of Manitoba, Health Sciences Centre, Winnipeg, MB, Canada; Department of Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of Manitoba, Health Sciences Centre, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: This study was undertaken to assess the influence of labor and cesarean section on endothelial function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Flow-mediated vasodilatation (FMD) was measured before and after delivery for an assessment of endothelial function in three groups: (1) the Vaginal delivery group (with spontaneous labor or induction of labor, n = 48), (2) the Elective C/S group (with a cesarean planned, n = 20), and (3) the C/S after FP group (scheduled for vaginal delivery but required to have an emergency cesarean section because of failure in progress, n = 11). RESULTS: There were statistically significant changes between the antepartum and postpartum FMD values in the Vaginal delivery group and the Elective C/S group but not in the C/S after FP group (P < 0.001, P = 0.023 and P = 0.22 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: These observations suggest that labor may enhance endothelial function and that cesarean section may impair endothelial function.
INTRODUCTION: This study was undertaken to assess the influence of labor and cesarean section on endothelial function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Flow-mediated vasodilatation (FMD) was measured before and after delivery for an assessment of endothelial function in three groups: (1) the Vaginal delivery group (with spontaneous labor or induction of labor, n = 48), (2) the Elective C/S group (with a cesarean planned, n = 20), and (3) the C/S after FP group (scheduled for vaginal delivery but required to have an emergency cesarean section because of failure in progress, n = 11). RESULTS: There were statistically significant changes between the antepartum and postpartum FMD values in the Vaginal delivery group and the Elective C/S group but not in the C/S after FP group (P < 0.001, P = 0.023 and P = 0.22 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: These observations suggest that labor may enhance endothelial function and that cesarean section may impair endothelial function.