Key result
Carotid artery elasticity decreased significantly towards the end of pregnancy, with the Stiffness Index being 57% higher in the third trimester compared to the first trimester.
Why the study?
Does pregnancy decrease carotid artery elasticity and is this change associated with maternal lipids or endothelial function?
Cohort (n=198)
Yes
Does pregnancy decrease carotid artery elasticity and is this change associated with maternal lipids or endothelial function?
Effect estimate: 57% increase
Absolute Event Rate: 8.07% vs 5.15%
p-value: p=<0.001
Carotid artery elasticity decreases significantly towards the end of pregnancy, independent of maternal hyperlipidemia or endothelial function changes.
Third-trimester carotid stiffening occurs independently of lipids or endothelial function; leaves open whether it predicts long-term maternal cardiovascular risk.
BACKGROUND: The aims were to evaluate the effect of pregnancy on carotid artery elasticity and determine the associations between maternal lipids, endothelial function and arterial elasticity during pregnancy. METHODS: We examined 99 pregnant and 99 matched non-pregnant control women as part of a population-based prospective cohort study. Carotid artery elasticity indexes; carotid artery distensibility (CAD), Young's elastic modulus (YEM) and stiffness index (SI) as well as brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) were assessed using ultrasound; serum lipid levels were also determined. RESULTS: SI was 57% and YEM 75% higher and CAD 36% lower in the third trimester group than the corresponding values in the first trimester group. Serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels were significantly higher in women at the end of the pregnancy than at the beginning of pregnancy (P < 0.001) and in controls (P < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, gestational age was the only independent correlate of arterial elasticity in pregnant women. In controls, age (P ≤ 0.001) and common carotid diameter (P = 0.001-0.029) were associated with SI, YEM and CAD. CONCLUSIONS: The present study revealed that carotid artery elasticity declined towards the end of the pregnancy; this neither is straight correlating with maternal hyperlipidemia or the diameter of the carotid artery nor is it associated with changes in endothelial function.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Kärkkäinen et al. (2014) conducted a cohort in Pregnancy (n=198). Pregnancy (third trimester) vs. Pregnancy (first trimester) was evaluated on Stiffness Index (SI) (57% increase, p=<0.001). Carotid artery elasticity decreased significantly towards the end of pregnancy, with the Stiffness Index being 57% higher in the third trimester compared to the first trimester.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: