Key result
Gestational hypertension in obese pregnancy is linked to ~17% higher ePWV versus normotensive controls.
Why the study?
Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy combined with obesity increase cardiovascular risk and arterial remodeling, but practical arterial stiffness assessment alternatives to carotid-femoral PWV need evaluation in this population.
Does gestational hypertension increase arterial stiffness as measured by ePWV and crPWV in obese pregnant women compared to normotensive obese pregnant women?
Cross-Sectional (n=74)
Yes
Does gestational hypertension increase arterial stiffness as measured by ePWV and crPWV in obese pregnant women compared to normotensive obese pregnant women?
Mean Difference: 0.93 (95% CI 0.61–1.25)
Absolute Event Rate: 7.7% vs 6.6%
p-value: p=<0.001
Estimated pulse wave velocity (ePWV) is significantly elevated in obese women with gestational hypertension and may serve as a practical, zero-cost indicator of vascular load in this population.
ePWV may reflect increased vascular load in obese women with gestational hypertension; leaves open its prognostic value and therapeutic implications.
Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are associated with increased cardiovascular risk and arterial remodeling, further complicated by obesity. While carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity remains the gold standard for arterial stiffness assessment, estimated PWV (ePWV) and carotid-radial PWV (crPWV) offer practical alternatives. This study evaluated ePWV and crPWV in gestational hypertension (GH) and their association with asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA). Cross-sectional analysis of 74 obese pregnant women (GH: n = 38; normotensive: n = 36). Lifestyle characteristics were assessed via WHO STEPS questionnaire. Seated blood pressure was measured and ePWV calculated. crPWV and augmentation index (AIx) were assessed using Complior Analyse. Serum ADMA was measured. Multivariable linear regression identified independent predictors of arterial stiffness, adjusting for central systolic blood pressure (cSBP), AIx, ADMA, and GH status. ePWV was significantly higher in the GH group (7.7 vs. 6.6 m/s; p < 0.001), while crPWV did not differ significantly (p = 0.14). A significant correlation between ePWV and crPWV was observed (r = 0.42; p < 0.001). ADMA did not differ between groups. cSBP and AIx independently predicted crPWV; GH status independently predicted ePWV. ADMA was not significantly associated with either marker. ePWV may serve as a practical, effective index for assessing vascular load in obese obstetric populations.
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Kaluba et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Gestational hypertension in obese pregnancy (n=74). Gestational hypertension vs. Normotensive was evaluated on Estimated pulse wave velocity (ePWV) (β 0.93, 95% CI 0.61-1.25, p=<0.001). Gestational hypertension in obese pregnant women was associated with significantly higher estimated pulse wave velocity (7.7 vs. 6.6 m/s, p < 0.001) compared to normotensive controls.
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