Chronic effects of maternal smoking on pulse waves in the fetal aorta.
OBJECTIVE
In order to evaluate the impact of maternal smoking on arterial stiffness in utero, pulse wave characteristics in the fetal aorta were investigated. A prospective clinical study was made of 34 smoking and 34 non-smoking healthy volunteers with uncomplicated pregnancies at 31-40 weeks of gestation.


METHODS
The mechanical properties of the fetal thoracic aorta were assessed by an ultrasonic phase-locking echo-tracking system. For each fetus with a smoking mother, a non-smoking control matched for gestational and maternal age was monitored. Women with later appearing pregnancy complications were excluded. Pulse wave velocity (PWV), maximum diameter in systole (Ds), end-diastolic diameter (Dd), pulse amplitude (DeltaD), and maximum incremental velocity (MIV) in the fetal aorta were measured and analyzed in relation to maternal smoking and gestational age.


RESULTS
Results were computed on fetuses of 32 smokers and 30 non-smokers. PWV increased with gestational age in smokers (corr. coeff. 0.49, p < 0.006) but not in non-smokers (corr. coeff. -0.12). MIV did not change in smokers (corr. coeff. -0.15) but increased in non-smokers (corr. coeff. 0.40, p < 0.03). Differences in regression lines between the groups regarding PWV and MIV were significant (p < 0.02 for both).


CONCLUSIONS
Maternal smoking seems to promote the stiffening of the fetal aorta during gestation.
Kyrklund-Blomberg
Nina B
NB
Karolinska Institute, Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Danderyd Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. nina.kyrklund@ds.se
Hu
Jie
J
Gennser
Gerhard
G
D000328:Adult; D001011:Aorta / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000196:embryology / Q000502:physiology*; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003367:Cotinine / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011673:Pulsatile Flow; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal
D003367:Cotinine