Baroreflex control of heart rate is impaired in pre-eclampsia.
Autonomic nervous dysfunction, such as parasympathetic and sympathetic impairment, has been suggested as possible cause of pre-eclampsia, but the studies are not conclusive. Our purpose was to assess non-invasively if pre-eclampsia is associated with a decreased baroreflex function. Nine women with pre-eclampsia (PE), eight normotensive pregnant women, and seven healthy normotensive non-pregnant women were studied. Continuous finger blood pressure was recorded by a Portapres device in the left lateral recumbent position and active standing. Baroreflex gain was evaluated by cross-spectral analysis of systolic blood pressure and pulse interval. The result was that baroreflex gain at rest was lower in pre-eclamptic women both compared to non-pregnant and healthy pregnant subjects (P<0.05). Moreover, a decrease of the baroreflex sensitivity was present in all pregnant women in the orthostatic position (P<0.05). In conclusion pregnancy per se is associated with a decrease in the baroreflex control of the heart, whereas in pre-eclampsia, the baroreflex sensitivity is impaired further.
Molino
P
P
Department of Medicine and Experimental Oncology, University of Turin, Italy.
Veglio
F
F
Genova
G C
GC
Melchio
R
R
Benedetto
C
C
Chiarolini
L
L
Rabbia
F
F
Grosso
T
T
Mulatero
P
P
Chiandussi
L
L
D000328:Adult; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology; D017704:Baroreflex / Q000502:physiology*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D018660:Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D010991:Plethysmography; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011247:Pregnancy