Peripheral arterial tone

• DOI: 10.1097/hjh.0b013e32834d76fb
• Publication Date: 2011-11-03T07:50:13Z
• Authors: David M. Carty; Lesley A. Anderson; Catherine N. Duncan; David P. Baird; Laura K. Rooney; Anna F. Dominiczak; Christian Delles
• Keywords: Hyperaemia; Endothelial Dysfunction; Gestational hypertension

Endothelial dysfunction is known to play a key role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia, but majority methods for its detection are too invasive be used pregnancy. In this study we report novel method - peripheral arterial tonometry (PAT) examining microcirculatory function pregnancy.One hundred and eighty women with at least two risk factors preeclampsia were examined gestational weeks 16 28; 80 6-9 months postnatally. Twenty-four developed or pregnancy-induced hypertension (cases), 156 remained normotensive (controls). PAT was measured using fingertip pneumatic probes; after baseline recordings arm occluded blood pressure cuff then released 5 min, causing reactive hyperaemia. pre post occlusion generate hyperaemia index (RHI).RHI significantly lower week 28 compared 16, both cases controls. Baseline pulse amplitude higher 16. There no difference RHI either between Postnatally, there controls, affected women.PAT other which rely on flow-mediated dilatation endothelial less likely reliable later pregnancy, when more vasodilated. did not predict development hypertensive pregnancy complications, demonstrated relative vasoconstriction