Wave Pulse Velocity and Early Reflection Wave in the Pregnancy with Risk of Preeclampsia

pp 353-358

Abstract

Objective

Preeclampsia (PE) is a disease of uncertain etiology, with late diagnostic predictors. This study aimed at early detection of arterial distensibility, assessed by pulse wave velocity (PWV) and pressure elevation (PE),in pregnant women at risk of PE.

Material and methods

Fifty-four pregnant women, (weeks 20-30 of pregnancy) were included. Twenty-seven had no history (G1) and 27 had history of PE, chronic or pregnancy-related hypertension in previous pregnancies (G2). SphygmoCor tonometry was used to record radial and carotid arterial pulse waves, and the ascending aorta wave was derived by a transfer function. Systolic and diastolic pressures, PE and PWV were recorded. Data were analyzed with t and Mann-Whitney U test, with significance achieved when p < 0.05. Correlation between systolic radial pressure and PWV was obtained by r of Pearson and PE with PWV by rS of Spearman.

Results

Median and standard deviations were as follows (G1/G2): age: 25.2 ± 6.5 / 29.5 ± 6.5, p < 0.015, radial systolic blood pressure (SBP): 108.0 ± 9.0 / 122.0 ±13.0, p < 0.001, radial diastolic blood pressure (DBP):63.0 ± 9.3 / 73.0 ± 11.0,p< 0.001; aortic SP:93.0 ± 8.2 / 107.0 ± 16.0p< 0.008, aortic DP:65.0 ±9.5 / 74.0 ± 10.0 p< 0.001, PE: 1.6 ± 4.0 / 4.6 ± 6.7 p>0.09; PWV:6.8±1.6/7.9±1.8p<0.035.

Conclusions

PWY demonstrates the early alteration of arterial distensibility in pregnancies with high risk of PE.