Assessment of endothelium: Dependent vasodilation with a non-invasive method in patients with preeclampsia compared to normotensive pregnant women.
BACKGROUND
To assess the endothelial function via noninvasive method, in pregnant women with preeclampsia compared to to normotensive pregnant women.


METHODS
Brachial artery diameter was measured via ultrasound, in 28 women with preeclampcia in case group and normotensive pregnant women in control group, at rest, after inflation of sphygmomanometer cuff up to 250-300 mmHg, immediately after deflation of the cuff, 60-90 minutes later and 5 min after administration of sublingual trinitroglycerin (TNG). Results of these measurements as well as demographic characteristics of participants in both groups were recorded in special forms. Data were analyzed via Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16, using t-test and repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The results were presented as mean ± standard deviation (SD).


RESULTS
The mean of brachial artery diameter at rest in the case and control groups was 4.49 ± 0.39 and 4.08 ± 0.38 mm, respectively (P = 0.1). Also the results showed that the brachial artery diameter, immediately after deflation of the cuff, was 4.84 ± 0.4 and 4.37 ± 0.30 mm in the case and control groups (P < 0.001), respectively. The mean brachial artery diameter, 60-90 s after deflation of the cuff, was 4.82 ± 0.41 and 4.42 ± 0.38 mm in the case and control groups (P < 0.00), respectively. The brachial artery diameter, 5 min after sublingual NO administration, was 4.95 ± 0.6 and 4.40 ± 0.45 mm in case and control groups (P < 0.001), respectively. Applying of repeated measures ANOVA showed that the mean difference between case and control groups was statistically significant (P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Current study concluded that there is no difference in endothelium-dependent vasodilation between women with preeclampsia and pregnant women with normal blood pressure.
Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Seyedeh Zahra
SZ
Allameh
Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Hatav Ghasemi
HG
Tehrani
Associate Professor of Cardiology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Seyyed Mohammad
SM
Hashemi
Assistant Professor of Radiology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Reza Basirat
RB
Nia
General Practitioner, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Forough
F
Hoseini
Brachial artery diameter; Endothelium-dependent vasodilation-Preeclampsia-Nitric oxide (NO); NO; endothelium-dependent vasodilation; normotensive; preeclampsia