Preeclampsia Is Associated with Increased Central Aortic Pressure, Elastic Arteries Stiffness and Wave Reflections, and Resting and Recruitable Endothelial Dysfunction.
Introduction. An altered endothelial function (EF) could be associated with preeclampsia (PE). However, more specific and complementary analyses are required to confirm this topic. Flow-mediated dilation (FMD), low-flow-mediated constriction (L-FMC), and hyperemic-related changes in carotid-radial pulse wave velocity (PWVcr) offer complementary information about "recruitability" of EF. Objectives. To evaluate, in healthy and hypertensive pregnant women (with and without PE), central arterial parameters in conjunction with "basal and recruitable" EF. Methods. Nonhypertensive (HP) and hypertensive pregnant women (gestational hypertension, GH; preeclampsia, PE) were included. Aortic blood pressure (BP), wave reflection parameters (AIx@75), aortic pulse wave velocity (PWVcf) and PWVcr, and brachial and common carotid stiffness and intima-media thickness were measured. Brachial FMD and L-FMC and hyperemic-related change in PWVcr were measured. Results. Aortic BP and AIx@75 were elevated in PE. PE showed stiffer elastic but not muscular arteries. After cuff deflation, PWVcr decreased in HP, while GH showed a blunted PWVcr response and PE showed a tendency to increase. Maximal FMD and L-FMC were observed in HP followed by GH; PE did not reach significant arterial constriction. Conclusion. Aortic BP and wave reflections as well as elastic arteries stiffness are increased in PE. PE showed both "resting and recruitable" endothelial dysfunctions.
Centro Universitario de Investigación, Innovación y Diagnóstico Arterial (CUiiDARTE), Physiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Republic University, 2125 General Flores, 11800 Montevideo, Uruguay.
Juan
J
Torrado
Centro Universitario de Investigación, Innovación y Diagnóstico Arterial (CUiiDARTE), Physiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Republic University, 2125 General Flores, 11800 Montevideo, Uruguay.
Ignacio
I
Farro
Centro Universitario de Investigación, Innovación y Diagnóstico Arterial (CUiiDARTE), Physiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Republic University, 2125 General Flores, 11800 Montevideo, Uruguay.
Yanina
Y
Zócalo
Centro Universitario de Investigación, Innovación y Diagnóstico Arterial (CUiiDARTE), Physiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Republic University, 2125 General Flores, 11800 Montevideo, Uruguay.
Federico
F
Farro
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology "C", Pereira Rossell Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Republic University, 1550 Bulevar Artigas, 11600 Montevideo, Uruguay.
Claudio
C
Sosa
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology "C", Pereira Rossell Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Republic University, 1550 Bulevar Artigas, 11600 Montevideo, Uruguay.
Santiago
S
Scasso
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology "C", Pereira Rossell Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Republic University, 1550 Bulevar Artigas, 11600 Montevideo, Uruguay.
Justo
J
Alonso
Centro Universitario de Investigación, Innovación y Diagnóstico Arterial (CUiiDARTE), Physiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Republic University, 2125 General Flores, 11800 Montevideo, Uruguay.
Daniel
D
Bia