title: Decreased arterial elasticity in formerly early-onset preeclamptic women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Preeclampsia is associated with cardiovascular atherosclerotic events later in life. Impaired arterial elasticity is considered to be a marker of vascular (endothelial) dysfunction and to be involved in the atherosclerotic process. We investigated whether previously preeclamptic women have lower arterial elasticity indices in comparison with controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case-control study.
  
  
  METHODS
  University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands.
  
  
  METHODS
  14 non-pregnant women with a history of early-onset preeclampsia (cases) and 16 non-pregnant women (controls) with an uncomplicated pregnancy in 2003-2004.
  
  
  METHODS
  Measurement of radial artery elasticity indices combined with the brachial blood pressure using pulse wave contour analysis. The assessment of traditional risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) including body mass index, serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), serum insulin and plasma homocysteine.
  
  
  METHODS
  Arterial elasticity indices and traditional risk factors for CVD in cases and controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Arterial elasticity was impaired in cases as compared with controls. Body mass index, blood pressure, pulse pressure, hsCRP and triglycerides were significantly higher in cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Arterial elasticity indices are reduced in formerly preeclamptic women, indicating vascular dysfunction. This and the more established risk factors for CVD are likely to contribute to a higher risk of CVD in women with a history of early-onset preeclampsia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Esteban T D
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: Souwer
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Blaauw
authors.forename: Sophie M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Coffeng
authors.forename: Andries J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Smit
authors.forename: Jasper J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Van Doormaal
authors.forename: Marijke M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Faas
authors.forename: Maria G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Van Pampus
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001795:Blood Pressure Determination; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004548:Elasticity; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D017534:Radial Artery / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012016:Reference Values; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013997:Time Factors