Impaired vascular reactivity in pregnant women with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to investigate the vascular function of pregnant women with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, using a noninvasive method.


METHODS
This was a cross-sectional study that examined vascular function, which was assessed by flow-mediated dilatation of the brachial artery, in 37 pregnant women with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and in 37 healthy pregnant women at 20 weeks of gestation. The control of diabetes was also assessed by the measurement of glycosylated hemoglobin. Data were analyzed by 2-sided unpaired t test and multivariate regression analysis.


RESULTS
In the pregnant women with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, flow-mediated dilatation of the brachial artery was significantly lower than in healthy pregnant women (6.43% +/- 3.66% vs 9.43% +/- 3.69%, respectively; P =.0008). This difference was apparent even after an adjustment was made for blood vessel diameter, which was different between the 2 populations (P =.01). Flow-mediated dilatation in diabetic women was significantly correlated with the duration of diabetes (P =.01) but not with the levels of glycosylated hemoglobin.


CONCLUSIONS
Maternal insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus is associated with an impaired vasodilatory response to a blood flow stimulus. This vascular dysfunction is associated with the duration of the diabetes.
Savvidou
Makrina D
MD
Harris Birthright Research Centre for Fetal Medicine, King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, United Kingdom.
Geerts
Lut
L
Nicolaides
Kypros H
KH
D000328:Adult; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011254:Pregnancy in Diabetics / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012016:Reference Values; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000502:physiology; D014666:Vasomotor System / Q000503:physiopathology*
D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin