Abstract | OBJECTIVE: To estimate the changes in central hemodynamics features of pregnant women presenting with hypertensive disorders and to analyze the effects of standard antihypertensive treatment on maternal central hemodynamics. METHODS: Applanation tonometry was used to record the radial artery pulse waveform in 80 women presenting with preeclampsia or gestational hypertension and 80 normotensive controls matched for gestational age. In each case, an averaged aortic waveform was derived and analyzed to calculate augmentation pressure and augmentation index at heart rate 75 beats per minute (bpm). RESULTS: CONCLUSION: Arterial stiffness is increased in women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy compared with normotensive controls. In preeclampsia, vascular stiffness was significantly improved by antihypertensive treatment with alpha methyldopa, but remained higher than in normotensive controls.
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Authors | Asma Khalil, Eric Jauniaux, Kevin Harrington |
Journal | Obstetrics and gynecology
(Obstet Gynecol)
Vol. 113
Issue 3
Pg. 646-654
(Mar 2009)
ISSN: 0029-7844 [Print] United States |
PMID | 19300330
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Adrenergic alpha-Agonists
- Methyldopa
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Topics |
- Adrenergic alpha-Agonists
(pharmacology, therapeutic use)
- Arteries
- Blood Pressure
(drug effects)
- Brachial Artery
(physiopathology)
- Elasticity
- Female
- Heart Rate
- Humans
- Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced
(drug therapy, physiopathology)
- Methyldopa
(therapeutic use)
- Middle Aged
- Pregnancy
- Radial Artery
(physiopathology)
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