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Nuckols VR, Davis KG, Pierce GL, Gibbs BB, Whitaker KM. Associations of physical activity and sedentary time with aortic stiffness and autonomic function in early pregnancy. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2025; 138:774-782. [PMID: 39951544 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00889.2024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2024] [Revised: 12/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2025] [Indexed: 02/16/2025] Open
Abstract
Rapid cardiovascular and autonomic adaptations occur during early pregnancy to accommodate augmented cardiac output and placental circulation, with inadequate adaptation associated with hypertensive pregnancy complications. Habitual physical activity (PA) and limiting time in sedentary behavior (SED) may improve pregnancy-related vascular and autonomic function. The objective of this study was to examine the magnitude of the predicted associations between device-measured PA and SED with cardiovascular and autonomic biomarkers including aortic stiffness, blood pressure variability (BPV), and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) in the first trimester of pregnancy. Pregnant women (N = 92, 21-44 yr of age) free from cardiovascular disease were assessed between 100 and 126 weeks of gestation. Participants wore a thigh-mounted activPAL device for 7 days to assess PA (light intensity and moderate-to-vigorous intensity) and SED. Aortic stiffness was measured by noninvasive applanation tonometry and expressed as carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV). Beat-to-beat blood pressure (BP) and R-R intervals were synchronously recorded for 10 min via finger plethysmography and ECG to derive beat-to-beat BPV and spontaneous cardiovagal BRS (sequence method). In the entire group, neither PA nor SED was related to cfPWV, BPV, or BRS, and this finding was similar in nulliparous and parous pregnant women. In stratified analyses, the association between moderate-to-vigorous-intensity PA and cfPWV differed by gestational age (GA) such that this inverse association was only present in the 12th week of gestation (β = -0.365, P = 0.015). The present study indicates that PA and SED are not associated with aortic stiffness or autonomic function in the first trimester.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Pregnancy is characterized by profound maternal circulatory and autonomic adaptations, but the impact of modifiable factors, such as physical activity and sedentary behavior on vascular and autonomic function during pregnancy, is unclear. We demonstrate that device-measured physical activity and sedentary time are not associated with aortic stiffness, baroreflex sensitivity, and blood pressure variability during the first trimester. The beneficial effect of physical activity on aortic stiffness may become more pronounced with advancing gestational age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia R Nuckols
- Department of Health and Human Physiology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States
| | - Kristen G Davis
- Department of Health and Human Physiology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States
| | - Gary L Pierce
- Department of Health and Human Physiology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States
- Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States
| | - Bethany Barone Gibbs
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, United States
| | - Kara M Whitaker
- Department of Health and Human Physiology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States
- Department of Epidemiology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States
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2
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Miller KB, Moir ME, Fico BG. Vascular health and exercise in females throughout the lifespan: Exploring puberty, pregnancy and menopause. Exp Physiol 2025. [PMID: 39887530 DOI: 10.1113/ep092170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2025] [Indexed: 02/01/2025]
Abstract
This narrative review highlights the impact of exercise on vascular health in females over the lifespan with an emphasis on puberty, pregnancy and menopause. These events encompass substantial changes in sex hormone levels, particularly oestrogens and progesterone. They are also accompanied by distinct adaptations of the central, peripheral and cerebral vasculature. Regular exercise is an effective mechanism to reduce vascular risk in females of all ages, especially for those at higher risk for vascular disorders. However, there are large variabilities in the vascular adaptations to exercise in females that may be related to circulating sex hormone levels. In addition, exogenous hormones, such as oral contraceptives taken after puberty or hormonal replacement therapy taken to mitigate symptoms of menopause, may interact with exercise-induced changes in vascular function. We highlight how more research is needed to understand the optimal exercise interventions to promote vascular health in females across the lifespan, especially during times of hormonal transition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen B Miller
- Department of Health and Exercise Science, Morrison Family College of Health, University of St. Thomas, Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - M Erin Moir
- Bruno Balke Biodynamics Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Brandon G Fico
- Department of Exercise Science and Health Promotion, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida, USA
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Vulin M, Drenjančević I, Muller A, Mihaljević Z, Kolobarić N, Šušnjara P, Magušić L, Rolić T, Mandić S, Šerić V, Stupin A. Placenta may exert fetal protection against maternal high salt diet intake via renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Placenta 2024; 158:136-144. [PMID: 39427563 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2024.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2024] [Revised: 09/11/2024] [Accepted: 10/03/2024] [Indexed: 10/22/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study investigated the effects of high compared to normal dietary salt intake on fetoplacental vascular function, activity of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), placental pro- and anti-angiogenic factors and biomarkers of placental remodeling and oxidative stress during healthy uncomplicated pregnancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS Based on their 24-h sodium excretion pregnant women (37-40 weeks' gestation) were categorized into three groups: normal salt (NS, <5.75 g/day, N = 12), high salt (HS, 5.75-10.25 g/day, N = 36), and very high salt (VHS, >10.25 g/day, N = 17). Pulsatility (PI) and resistive index of middle cerebral artery (MCA) and umbilical artery, plasma renin activity (PRA), serum aldosterone, soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) and placental growth factor (PlGF) concentrations, as well as placental vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C), oxidative/antioxidative stress markers (TBARS/FRAP) and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) concentration were measured. RESULTS PI MCA was significantly decreased in HS/VHS groups compared to NS group. HS/VHS intake did not suppress PRA and aldosterone concentration. Serum PlGF concentration was significantly increased while sFlt-1 concentration and sFlt-1/PlGF ratio were significantly decreased in VHS group compared to NS group. MMP-9, VEGF-C concentration, TBARS and FRAP in placental tissue were similar between study groups. CONCLUSIONS HS/VHS diet does not suppress RAAS during pregnancy; however, it is associated with decreased PI MCA, a significantly decreased sFlt-1/PlGF ratio and unchanged biomarkers of placental remodeling or oxidative stress in healthy pregnant women, suggesting the presence of a possible protective or compensatory mechanism aimed at preserving placental function and pregnancy outcome itself in terms of maternal HS intake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Vulin
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Centre Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Ines Drenjančević
- Department of Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; Scientific Center of Excellence for Personalized Health Care, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Andrijana Muller
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Centre Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Zrinka Mihaljević
- Department of Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; Scientific Center of Excellence for Personalized Health Care, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Nikolina Kolobarić
- Department of Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; Scientific Center of Excellence for Personalized Health Care, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Petar Šušnjara
- Department of Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; Scientific Center of Excellence for Personalized Health Care, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Lucija Magušić
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Centre Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Tara Rolić
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; Institute of Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics, University Hospital Centre Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Sanja Mandić
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; Institute of Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics, University Hospital Centre Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Vatroslav Šerić
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; Institute of Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics, University Hospital Centre Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Ana Stupin
- Department of Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; Scientific Center of Excellence for Personalized Health Care, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia.
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Seravalli V, Huri M, Abati I, Santalucia M, Impastato G, Pasquini B, Tofani L, Di Tommaso M, Petraglia F. Assessment of skin microvascular response through pregnancy using laser speckle contrast imaging. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2024; 231:e163-e170. [PMID: 38936493 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2024.06.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Viola Seravalli
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
| | - Mor Huri
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Isabella Abati
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Michela Santalucia
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Gaia Impastato
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Benedetta Pasquini
- Department of Chemistry "U.Schiff", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Tofani
- Department of Statistics, Computer Science, Applications, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Mariarosaria Di Tommaso
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Felice Petraglia
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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Brevik-Persson S, Gjestvang C, Mass Dalhaug E, Sanda B, Melau J, Haakstad LAH. Cool mama: Temperature regulation during high-intensity interval running in pregnant elite and recreational athletes. J Exerc Sci Fit 2024; 22:429-437. [PMID: 39324074 PMCID: PMC11422093 DOI: 10.1016/j.jesf.2024.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2024] [Revised: 09/11/2024] [Accepted: 09/11/2024] [Indexed: 09/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Regular exercise during pregnancy is beneficial, but athletes often exceed the recommended 150 min of moderate-intensity activity, incorporate high-intensity exercises. The upper limit for exercise intensity and duration on fetal and maternal safety remains uncertain. A concern is a maternal core body temperature of >39.0 °C, potentially increase the risk of heat-related fetal malformations and complications during pregnancy. Blood flow redirection for thermoregulation could compromise fetal cardiovascular function, increasing the risk of miscarriage and preterm labor. This study evaluated whether pregnant women (gestational weeks 25-35) were at risk of exceeding a core body temperature of 39.0 °C during high-intensity running. We also investigated effects on skin temperature, fluid loss, and thermal sensation, comparing pregnant athletes to non-pregnant controls. Methods In this comparative cross-sectional study, 30 elite and recreational athletes (pregnant n = 15) completed up to five high-intensity treadmill-intervals. Core and skin temperature were continuously measured. Body weight was utilized to calculate the amount of fluid loss. Results Highest core body temperature were 38.76 °C and 39.56 °C in one pregnant and non-pregnant participant, respectively. Pregnant participants had lower core body temperatures (mean difference -0.47 °C, p ≤ 0.001) initially and a smaller increase (0.10 °C, p ≤ 0.003) during later intervals compared with the non-pregnant controls. Pregnant participants also showed a greater increase in skin temperature (4.08 ± 0.72 °C vs. 3.25 ± 0.86 °C, p = 0.008) and fluid loss (0.81 ± 0.19 L vs. 0.50 ± 0.12 L, p˂0.001). Conclusion Physiological changes in pregnancy may enhance thermoregulation, indicating that high-intensity interval runs are unlikely to pose a risk of exceeding a core body temperature of 39 °C for pregnant athletes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Birgitte Sanda
- Department of Sports Medicine, Norwegian School of Sports Sciences, Norway
- Arendal Gynekologi AS, Norway
| | - Jørgen Melau
- Joint Medical Service, Norwegian Armed Forces, Norway
| | - Lene A H Haakstad
- Department of Sports Medicine, Norwegian School of Sports Sciences, Norway
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Ferreira AF, Azevedo MJ, Morais J, Almeida-Coelho J, Leite-Moreira AM, Lourenço AP, Saraiva F, Diaz SO, Amador AF, Sousa C, Machado AP, Sampaio-Maia B, Ramalho C, Leite-Moreira A, Barros AS, Falcão-Pires I. Stretch-induced compliance mechanism in pregnancy-induced cardiac hypertrophy and the impact of cardiovascular risk factors. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2024; 326:H1193-H1203. [PMID: 38334973 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00701.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Pressure overload-induced hypertrophy compromises cardiac stretch-induced compliance (SIC) after acute volume overload (AVO). We hypothesized that SIC could be enhanced by physiological hypertrophy induced by pregnancy's chronic volume overload. This study evaluated SIC-cardiac adaptation in pregnant women with or without cardiovascular risk (CVR) factors. Thirty-seven women (1st trimester, 1stT) and a separate group of 31 (3rd trimester, 3rdT) women [healthy or with CVR factors (obesity and/or hypertension and/or with gestational diabetes)] underwent echocardiography determination of left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) and E/e' before (T0), immediately after (T1), and 15 min after (T2; SIC) AVO induced by passive leg elevation. Blood samples for NT-proBNP quantification were collected before and after the AVO. Acute leg elevation significantly increased inferior vena cava diameter and stroke volume from T0 to T1 in both 1stT and 3rdT, confirming AVO. LVEDV and E/e' also increased immediately after AVO (T1) in both 1stT and 3rdT. SIC adaptation (T2, 15 min after AVO) significantly decreased E/e' in both trimesters, with additional expansion of LVEDV only in the 1stT. NT-pro-BNP increased slightly after AVO but only in the 1stT. CVR factors, but not parity or age, significantly impacted SIC cardiac adaptation. A distinct functional response to SIC was observed between 1stT and 3rdT, which was influenced by CVR factors. The LV of 3rdT pregnant women was hypertrophied, showing a structural limitation to dilate with AVO, whereas the lower LV filling pressure values suggest increased diastolic compliance.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The sudden increase of volume overload triggers an acute myocardial stretch characterized by an immediate rise in contractility by the Frank-Starling mechanism, followed by a progressive increase known as the slow force response. The present study is the first to characterize echocardiographically the stretch-induced compliance (SIC) mechanism in the context of physiological hypertrophy induced by pregnancy. A distinct functional adaptation to SIC was observed between first and third trimesters, which was influenced by cardiovascular risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Filipa Ferreira
- Cardiovascular Research and Development Unit, Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria João Azevedo
- Faculdade de Medicina Dentária, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Instituto Nacional de Engenharia Biomédica, Porto, Portugal
- i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Academic Center for Dentistry Amsterdam, University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Juliana Morais
- Cardiovascular Research and Development Unit, Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - João Almeida-Coelho
- Cardiovascular Research and Development Unit, Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - André M Leite-Moreira
- Cardiovascular Research and Development Unit, Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Anesthesiology Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João, Porto, Portugal
| | - André P Lourenço
- Cardiovascular Research and Development Unit, Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Anesthesiology Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João, Porto, Portugal
| | - Francisca Saraiva
- Cardiovascular Research and Development Unit, Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Sílvia O Diaz
- Cardiovascular Research and Development Unit, Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana Filipa Amador
- Cardiology Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João, Porto, Portugal
| | - Carla Sousa
- Cardiovascular Research and Development Unit, Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Cardiology Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana Paula Machado
- Obstetrics Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João, Porto, Portugal
| | - Benedita Sampaio-Maia
- Faculdade de Medicina Dentária, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Instituto Nacional de Engenharia Biomédica, Porto, Portugal
- i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Carla Ramalho
- i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Obstetrics Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João, Porto, Portugal
- Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Pediatrics Department, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Adelino Leite-Moreira
- Cardiovascular Research and Development Unit, Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João, Porto, Portugal
| | - António S Barros
- Cardiovascular Research and Development Unit, Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Inês Falcão-Pires
- Cardiovascular Research and Development Unit, Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Bonney EA, Lintao RCV, Zelop CM, Kammala AK, Menon R. Are fetal microchimerism and circulating fetal extracellular vesicles important links between spontaneous preterm delivery and maternal cardiovascular disease risk? Bioessays 2024; 46:e2300170. [PMID: 38359068 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202300170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Trafficking and persistence of fetal microchimeric cells (fMCs) and circulating extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been observed in animals and humans, but their consequences in the maternal body and their mechanistic contributions to maternal physiology and pathophysiology are not yet fully defined. Fetal cells and EVs may help remodel maternal organs after pregnancy-associated changes, but the cell types and EV cargos reaching the mother in preterm pregnancies after exposure to various risk factors can be distinct from term pregnancies. As preterm delivery-associated maternal complications are rising, revisiting this topic and formulating scientific questions for future research to reduce the risk of maternal morbidities are timely. Epidemiological studies report maternal cardiovascular risk as one of the major complications after preterm delivery. This paper suggests a potential link between fMCs and circulating EVs and adverse maternal cardiovascular outcomes post-pregnancies, the underlying mechanisms, consequences, and methods for and how this link might be assessed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Bonney
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Larner College of Medicine, The University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Ryan C V Lintao
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, Texas, USA
- College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
| | - Carolyn M Zelop
- The Valley Hospital, Ridgewood, Paramus, New Jersey, USA
- Grossman School of Medicine, New York University, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Ananth Kumar Kammala
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Ramkumar Menon
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, Texas, USA
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Vulin M, Muller A, Drenjančević I, Šušnjara P, Mihaljević Z, Stupin A. High dietary salt intake attenuates nitric oxide mediated endothelium-dependent vasodilation and increases oxidative stress in pregnancy. J Hypertens 2024; 42:672-684. [PMID: 38230612 DOI: 10.1097/hjh.0000000000003645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the impact of dietary salt intake during normal pregnancy on maternal microvascular and macrovascular endothelium-dependent reactivity and oxidative stress level. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this cross-sectional study, based on their 24-h urinary sodium excretion, pregnant women (37-40 weeks of gestation) were divided into three groups: normal salt (<5.75 g/day, N = 12), high salt (5.75-10.25 g/day, N = 36), and very high salt (VHS;>10.25 g/day, N = 17). Forearm skin microvascular reactivity in response to vascular occlusion, local heating (LTH) and iontophoresis of acetylcholine (AChID), as well as brachial artery flow mediated dilation (FMD) were measured. Serum nitric oxide, endocan, 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α (8-iso-PGF2α), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and ferric-reducing ability of plasma assay were measured as biomarkers of endothelial function/activation and oxidative stress. RESULTS Brachial artery FMD, microvascular AChID, and LTH were significantly decreased in VHS compared with NS group, while LTH was also decreased in normal salt compared with high salt group. Nitric oxide was significantly decreased in both high salt and VHS groups compared with normal salt. Endocan, 8-iso-PGF2α, and TBARS were significantly increased in VHS compared with the normal salt group. CONCLUSION High dietary salt intake is associated with decreased nitric oxide mediated endothelium-dependent vasodilation in peripheral microcirculation and macrocirculation of healthy pregnant women due to increased oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Vulin
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Centre Osijek
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine Osijek
| | - Andrijana Muller
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Centre Osijek
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine Osijek
| | - Ines Drenjančević
- Department of Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Osijek
- Scientific Center of Excellence for Personalized Health Care, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Petar Šušnjara
- Department of Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Osijek
- Scientific Center of Excellence for Personalized Health Care, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Zrinka Mihaljević
- Department of Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Osijek
- Scientific Center of Excellence for Personalized Health Care, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Ana Stupin
- Department of Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Osijek
- Scientific Center of Excellence for Personalized Health Care, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
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Hawke K, Joshi K, Lau H, Halder A, Duncan P, Wolski P. Anomalous systemic arterial supply to the basal segment of the lung presenting with haemoptysis in the third trimester of pregnancy. Obstet Med 2024; 17:53-57. [PMID: 38660321 PMCID: PMC11037204 DOI: 10.1177/1753495x221125975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Anomalous systemic arterial supply to the basal segment of the lung (ABLL) is a rare cause of haemoptysis. ABLL may be complicated by massive haemoptysis, heart failure due to left-to-right shunt and infection. We describe a case of this condition presenting in the third trimester of pregnancy. Computed tomography chest angiogram confirmed the diagnosis. A multidisciplinary approach was necessary to determine treatment, which ultimately consisted of elective caesarean section at 36 weeks and 4 days' gestation, followed by transarterial embolisation 9 days postpartum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate Hawke
- Department of Obstetric Medicine, Women’s and Newborn Services, Royal Brisbane & Women’s Hospital, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Kaustuv Joshi
- Department of Thoracic Medicine, Internal Medicine and Aged Care, Royal Brisbane & Women’s Hospital, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Hervey Lau
- Department of Thoracic Medicine, Internal Medicine and Aged Care, Royal Brisbane & Women’s Hospital, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Arani Halder
- Department of Interventional Radiology, Royal Brisbane & Women’s Hospital, Herston, Queensland, Australia
- Queensland X-Ray Pty Ltd, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- The Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - Petrina Duncan
- Department of Obstetrics, Women’s and Newborn Services, Royal Brisbane & Women’s Hospital, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Penny Wolski
- Department of Obstetric Medicine, Women’s and Newborn Services, Royal Brisbane & Women’s Hospital, Herston, Queensland, Australia
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Ferreira AF, Azevedo MJ, Morais J, Trindade F, Saraiva F, Diaz SO, Alves IN, Fragão-Marques M, Sousa C, Machado AP, Leite-Moreira A, Sampaio-Maia B, Ramalho C, Barros AS, Falcão-Marques I. Cardiovascular risk factors during pregnancy impact the postpartum cardiac and vascular reverse remodeling. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2023; 325:H774-H789. [PMID: 37477690 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00200.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Pregnant women with cardiovascular risk (CVR) factors are highly prone to develop cardiovascular disease later in life. Thus, recent guidelines suggest extending the follow-up period to 1 yr after delivery. We aimed to evaluate cardiovascular remodeling during pregnancy and determine which CVR factors and potential biomarkers predict postpartum cardiac and vascular reverse remodeling (RR). Our study included a prospective cohort of 76 healthy and 54 obese and/or hypertensive and/or with gestational diabetes pregnant women who underwent transthoracic echocardiography, pulse-wave velocity (PWV), and blood collection at the 1st trimester (1T) and 3rd trimester (3T) of pregnancy as well as at the 1st/6th/12th mo after delivery. Generalized linear mixed-effects models was used to evaluate the extent of RR and its potential predictors. Pregnant women develop cardiac hypertrophy, as confirmed by a significant increase in left ventricular mass (LVM). Moreover, ventricular filling pressure (E/e') and atrial volume increased significantly during gestation. Significant regression of left ventricular (LV) volume, LVM, and filling pressures was observed as soon as 1 mo postpartum. The LV global longitudinal strain worsened slightly and recovered at 6 mo postpartum. PWV decreased significantly from 1T to 3T and normalized at 1 mo postpartum. We found that arterial hypertension, smoking habits, and obesity were independent predictors of increased LVM during pregnancy and postpartum. High C-reactive protein (CRP) and low ST2/IL33-receptor levels are potential circulatory biomarkers of worse LVM regression. Arterial hypertension, age, and gestational diabetes positively correlated with PWV. Altogether, our findings pinpoint arterial hypertension as a critical risk factor for worse RR and CRP, and ST2/IL33 receptors as potential biomarkers of postpartum hypertrophy reversal.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study describes the impact of cardiovascular risk factors (CVR) in pregnancy-induced remodeling and postpartum reverse remodeling (up to 1 yr) by applying advanced statistic methods (multivariate generalized linear mixed-effects models) to a prospective cohort of pregnant women. Aiming to extrapolate to pathological conditions, this invaluable "human model" allowed us to demonstrate that arterial hypertension is a critical CVR for worse RR and that ST2/IL33-receptors and CRP are potential biomarkers of postpartum hypertrophy reversal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Filipa Ferreira
- Department of Surgery and Physiology, Cardiovascular R&D Centre-UnIC@RISE, Faculdade de Medicina, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria João Azevedo
- Faculdade de Medicina Dentária, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- INEB-Instituto Nacional de Engenharia Biomédica, Porto, Portugal
- i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Academic Center for Dentistry Amsterdam, University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Juliana Morais
- Department of Surgery and Physiology, Cardiovascular R&D Centre-UnIC@RISE, Faculdade de Medicina, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Fábio Trindade
- Department of Surgery and Physiology, Cardiovascular R&D Centre-UnIC@RISE, Faculdade de Medicina, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Francisca Saraiva
- Department of Surgery and Physiology, Cardiovascular R&D Centre-UnIC@RISE, Faculdade de Medicina, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Sílvia Oliveira Diaz
- Department of Surgery and Physiology, Cardiovascular R&D Centre-UnIC@RISE, Faculdade de Medicina, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Inês Nuno Alves
- Department of Surgery and Physiology, Cardiovascular R&D Centre-UnIC@RISE, Faculdade de Medicina, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Mariana Fragão-Marques
- Department of Surgery and Physiology, Cardiovascular R&D Centre-UnIC@RISE, Faculdade de Medicina, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Centro Hospitalar de São João, Porto, Portugal
| | - Carla Sousa
- Department of Surgery and Physiology, Cardiovascular R&D Centre-UnIC@RISE, Faculdade de Medicina, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Department of Cardiology, Centro Hospitalar de São João, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana Paula Machado
- Center of Prenatal Diagnosis, Department of Obstetrics, Centro Hospitalar de São João, Porto, Portugal
| | - Adelino Leite-Moreira
- Department of Surgery and Physiology, Cardiovascular R&D Centre-UnIC@RISE, Faculdade de Medicina, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Centro Hospitalar de São João, Porto, Portugal
| | - Benedita Sampaio-Maia
- Faculdade de Medicina Dentária, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- INEB-Instituto Nacional de Engenharia Biomédica, Porto, Portugal
- i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Carla Ramalho
- Center of Prenatal Diagnosis, Department of Obstetrics, Centro Hospitalar de São João, Porto, Portugal
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - António Sousa Barros
- Department of Surgery and Physiology, Cardiovascular R&D Centre-UnIC@RISE, Faculdade de Medicina, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Inês Falcão-Marques
- Department of Surgery and Physiology, Cardiovascular R&D Centre-UnIC@RISE, Faculdade de Medicina, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Brislane Á, Davenport MH, Steinback CD. The sympathetic nervous system in healthy and hypertensive pregnancies: physiology or pathology? Exp Physiol 2023; 108:1238-1244. [PMID: 36459575 PMCID: PMC10988427 DOI: 10.1113/ep089665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 09/30/2023]
Abstract
NEW FINDINGS What is the topic of this review? Sympathoexcitation in both healthy and hypertensive pregnancies, and concurrent adaptations along the neurovascular cascade. What advances does it highlight? Known and plausible adaptations along the neurovascular cascade which may offset elevated MSNA in normotensive pregnancy while also highlighting knowledge gaps regarding understudied pathways. ABSTRACT The progression from conception through to the postpartum period represents an extraordinary period of physiological adaptation in the mother to support the growth and development of the fetus. Healthy, normotensive human pregnancies are associated with striking increases in both plasma volume and sympathetic nerve activity, yet normal or reduced blood pressure; it represents a unique period of apparent healthy sympathetic hyperactivity. However, how this normal blood pressure is achieved in the face of sympathoexcitation, and the mechanisms responsible for this increased activity are unclear. Importantly, sympathetic activation has been implicated in hypertensive pregnancy disorders - the leading causes of maternal-fetal morbidity and mortality in the developed world. An understudied link between pregnancy and the development of maternal hypertension may lie in the sympathetic nervous system regulation of blood pressure. This brief review presents the latest data on sympathoexcitation in both healthy and hypertensive pregnancies, and concurrent adaptations along the neurovascular cascade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Áine Brislane
- Program for Pregnancy & Postpartum HealthNeurovascular Health Lab, Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and RecreationWomen and Children's Health Research InstituteAlberta Diabetes InstituteUniversity of AlbertaAlbertaCanada
| | - Margie H. Davenport
- Program for Pregnancy & Postpartum HealthNeurovascular Health Lab, Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and RecreationWomen and Children's Health Research InstituteAlberta Diabetes InstituteUniversity of AlbertaAlbertaCanada
| | - Craig D. Steinback
- Program for Pregnancy & Postpartum HealthNeurovascular Health Lab, Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and RecreationWomen and Children's Health Research InstituteAlberta Diabetes InstituteUniversity of AlbertaAlbertaCanada
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12
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Kuate Defo A, Daskalopoulou SS. Alterations in Vessel Hemodynamics Across Uncomplicated Pregnancy. Am J Hypertens 2023; 36:183-191. [PMID: 36638267 DOI: 10.1093/ajh/hpac132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy is marked by the onset of rapid hemodynamic alterations in order to accommodate the needs of the developing fetus. Arterial stiffness is an independent predictor of cardiovascular events and mortality, and its measurement in clinical practice has been recommended. It follows a U-shaped curve in uncomplicated pregnancy, decreasing to a nadir in mid-pregnancy and rising at term. Systemic vasodilation occurs due to elevated nitric oxide, prostacyclin, endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor, estrogen, progesterone, and relaxin. Vascular resistance decreases to a nadir in mid-pregnancy, while endothelial function is enhanced starting in the first trimester. Plasma volume increases by about 50%, and total red blood cell mass increases by up to 40%. Cardiac output increases by up to 45%, at first due primarily to elevated stroke volume, then mainly due to increased heart rate. Along with echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging is safe for use in pregnancy. It may assess cardiac function more accurately than echocardiography, and may be indicated in specific clinical cases. Moreover, blood pressure decreases to a nadir in mid-pregnancy and rises to near preconception values postpartum. An appreciation of the vascular changes occurring in healthy pregnancy can aid in the prediction and diagnosis of pregnancy complications, such as preeclampsia and other hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and inform treatment. In particular, noninvasive arterial stiffness/hemodynamics assessment provides unique clinical information beyond blood pressure and traditional maternal characteristics, and can signal a need for further testing, or be used in combination with other tests to predict or diagnose complications of pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvin Kuate Defo
- Vascular Health Unit, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Stella S Daskalopoulou
- Vascular Health Unit, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Division of Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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13
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Cong J, Piao SF, Li R, Song GH, Sun YS, Xu L. Quantification of Myocardial Work by 2-D Echocardiography during a Normal Pregnancy: A Preliminary Study. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2023; 49:831-840. [PMID: 36517384 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2022.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
This study was aimed at investigating the adaptive changes in myocardial work (MyW) during normal pregnancy. Sequential 2D standard and speckle-tracking echocardiography was performed on 41 pregnant women in each gestational trimester and 4 to 11 mo after delivery. Thirty-eight age-matched, healthy, non-pregnant women served as controls. Four components of MyW-global myocardial work index (GWI), constructive work (GCW), wasted work (GWW) and work efficiency (GWE)-were calculated. GWI began to decline early in the first trimester and remained at a low level until delivery; GCW gradually decreased with gestational progression and reached its lowest level in the third trimester. When compared with the values for non-pregnant women and those postpartum, GWE and GWW remained unchanged in gestation. This study provides normal ranges of MyW during pregnancy. Despite the adapted decrease in GWI and GCW, the myocardium manages to work efficiently in the healthy pregnancy with drastic hemodynamic alternations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Cong
- Department of Ultrasound, Fuwai Central China Cardiovascular Hospital, Fuwai Central China Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Provincial People's Hospital Heart Center, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
| | - Shun-Fu Piao
- Department of Obstetrics, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China
| | - Rong Li
- Department of Echocardiography, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China
| | - Guang-Hui Song
- Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China
| | - Ya-Shu Sun
- Department of Echocardiography, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China
| | - Lin Xu
- Department of Obstetrics, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China
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Entropy Information of Pulse Dynamics in Three Stages of Pregnancy. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2022; 2022:6542072. [PMID: 36276859 PMCID: PMC9586734 DOI: 10.1155/2022/6542072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the present study is to use entropy to explore the change of pulse generated by normal pregnant women with gestational. Firstly, the subjects were divided into early (E), middle (M), and late (L) three stages according to gestational age. Then, pulse signals of the Chi position of 90 pregnant women at different gestational ages were collected. Secondly, the four entropies, namely fuzzy entropy (FuEn), approximate entropy (ApEn), sample entropy (SamEn), and permutation entropy (PerEn), were applied to the analysis of the long-term pulse changes of the pregnancy. Finally, the related information about pulse in different stages of pregnancy is given by the analysis of four kinds of entropy. Furthermore, the statistical tests are conducted for further comparison, and the descriptive statistics and the results are presented. In addition, boxplots are employed to show the distribution of four entropies of pregnancy. This work has studied the changes in pulse during pregnancy from quantitative and qualitative aspects. Our results show that entropy improves the diagnostic value of pulse analysis during pregnancy and could be applied to facilitate noninvasive diagnosis of pregnant women's physiological signals in the future.
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Arterial stiffness throughout pregnancy: Arteriograph device-specific reference ranges based on a low-risk population. J Hypertens 2022; 40:870-877. [PMID: 35165246 DOI: 10.1097/hjh.0000000000003086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The maternal cardiovascular system undergoes significant adaptation during pregnancy. We aimed to examine the changes in arterial stiffness parameters during normal pregnancy and establish reference ranges for the general population. METHODS We performed a prospective cross-sectional observational study at the University Hospitals of Leicester. We included low-risk healthy pregnant women with singleton and viable pregnancies with no evidence of foetal abnormality or aneuploidy. Smokers, women with pre-existing or gestational hypertensive disorders and diabetes, booking BMI at least 30, on medication that could affect cardiac function and/or those who delivered before 37 completed weeks of gestation, and/or a neonate with birthweight less than 10th centile were excluded. Brachial (BrAIx) and aortic augmentation indices (AoAIx), and pulse wave velocity (PWV) were assessed using the Arteriograph. Data were analysed using a linear mixed model. RESULTS We analysed a total of 571 readings from 259 women across different gestational ages and present the 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 90th centiles for BrAIx, AoAIx and PWV from 12+0 to 42+0 weeks' gestation. All haemodynamic variables were significantly associated with maternal age and heart rate. BrAIx, AoAIx and PWV demonstrated significant change with gestation, with all reaching their lowest value in the second trimester. CONCLUSION The current study presents reference ranges for BrAIx, AoAIx and PWV in low-risk singleton pregnancies. Further work is required to establish if women in whom measures of arterial stiffness lie above the 90th centile could be at increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes and to identify the optimum time for screening.
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16
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Preeclampsia has two phenotypes which require different treatment strategies. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2022; 226:S1006-S1018. [PMID: 34774281 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2020.10.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The opinion on the mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of preeclampsia still divides scientists and clinicians. This common complication of pregnancy has long been viewed as a disorder linked primarily to placental dysfunction, which is caused by abnormal trophoblast invasion, however, evidence from the previous two decades has triggered and supported a major shift in viewing preeclampsia as a condition that is caused by inherent maternal cardiovascular dysfunction, perhaps entirely independent of the placenta. In fact, abnormalities in the arterial and cardiac functions are evident from the early subclinical stages of preeclampsia and even before conception. Moving away from simply observing the peripheral blood pressure changes, studies on the central hemodynamics reveal two different mechanisms of cardiovascular dysfunction thought to be reflective of the early-onset and late-onset phenotypes of preeclampsia. More recent evidence identified that the underlying cardiovascular dysfunction in these phenotypes can be categorized according to the presence of coexisting fetal growth restriction instead of according to the gestational period at onset, the former being far more common at early gestational ages. The purpose of this review is to summarize the hemodynamic research observations for the two phenotypes of preeclampsia. We delineate the physiological hemodynamic changes that occur in normal pregnancy and those that are observed with the pathologic processes associated with preeclampsia. From this, we propose how the two phenotypes of preeclampsia could be managed to mitigate or redress the hemodynamic dysfunction, and we consider the implications for future research based on the current evidence. Maternal hemodynamic modifications throughout pregnancy can be recorded with simple-to-use, noninvasive devices in obstetrical settings, which require only basic training. This review includes a brief overview of the methodologies and techniques used to study hemodynamics and arterial function, specifically the noninvasive techniques that have been utilized in preeclampsia research.
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Pereira MM, Torrado J, Sosa C, Diaz A, Bia D, Zócalo Y. Center-To-Periphery Arterial Stiffness Gradient Is Attenuated and/or Reversed in Pregnancy-Associated Hypertension. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 8:766723. [PMID: 35004884 PMCID: PMC8739768 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.766723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Non-pregnant (NP) women have a progressive increase in arterial stiffness from central-to-peripheral arteries [“stiffness gradient” (SG)], which is of physiologic importance since excessive pulsatility is filtered by the creation of wave reflections. If the aorta gets stiff with minimal or no change in the periphery, the SG is dissipated transmitting pressure disturbances to the microcirculation. It remains unknown the status of the SG in both women with healthy pregnancies (HP) and complicated by pregnancy-associated hypertension (PAH). Objective: To determine whether HP and PAH are associated with changes in SG. Secondarily, we aim at identifying potential differences between the subgroups of PAH (pre-eclampsia and gestational hypertension). Methods: HP (n = 10), PAH (n = 16), and healthy NP women (n = 401, to be matched for age, and cardiovascular risk with the pregnant women) were included. Carotid-to-femoral (cfPWV) and carotid-to-radial pulse wave velocity (crPWV), common carotid artery (CCA) and brachial artery (BA) diameters and elastic modulus (EM), and regional (cfPWV/crPWV or “PWV ratio”) and local (CCA EM/BA EM or “EM ratio”) SG were quantified. Results: HP showed no changes in PWV ratio compared with NP, in the presence of significantly lower cfPWV and crPWV. HP exhibited higher arterial diameters and lower CCA EM/BA EM compared to NP, without differences with PAH. PAH was associated with a significant increase in the PWV ratio that exceeded the levels of both NP and HP, explained by a lower (although significant) reduction of cfPWV with respect to that observed in HP with respect to NP, and a higher reduction in crPWV with respect to that observed between HP and NP. The blunted reduction in cfPWV observed in PAH coincided with an increase in the CCA EM. Conclusions: Compared with NP, HP was associated with unchanged PWV ratio but with a reduction in CCA EM/BA EM, in the setting of a generalized drop in arterial stiffness. Compared with NP and HP, PAH was associated with an “exaggerated rise” in the PWV ratio without changes in CCA EM/BA EM, in the setting of a blunt reduction in cfPWV but exaggerated crPWV drop. The SG attenuation/reversal in PAH was mainly driven by pre-eclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- María M Pereira
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, BronxCare Hospital Center a Clinical Affiliate of Mt Sinai Health Systems and Academic Affiliate of Icahn School of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Juan Torrado
- Department of Internal Medicine, Jacobi Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Claudio Sosa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology "C", Pereira-Rossell Hospital, School of Medicine, Republic University, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Alejandro Diaz
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Tandil, Argentina
| | - Daniel Bia
- Department of Physiology, Centro Universitario de Investigación, Innovación y Diagnóstico Arterial (CUiiDARTE), School of Medicine, Republic University, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Yanina Zócalo
- Department of Physiology, Centro Universitario de Investigación, Innovación y Diagnóstico Arterial (CUiiDARTE), School of Medicine, Republic University, Montevideo, Uruguay
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Forrest M, Bourgeois S, Pichette É, Caughlin S, Kuate Defo A, Hales L, Labos C, Daskalopoulou SS. Arterial stiffness measurements in pregnancy as a predictive tool for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and preeclampsia: Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol X 2022; 13:100141. [PMID: 35118371 PMCID: PMC8792469 DOI: 10.1016/j.eurox.2022.100141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 12/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDPs) are a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Unfortunately, accurate early clinical screening methods for the development of these disorders are lacking. Arterial stiffness (AS) is an important hemodynamic indicator of vascular health that has shown promising results for the prediction of HDP onset. Past systematic reviews in the field have reported an increase in AS indices in women who develop HDPs and have highlighted the potential of AS measurements as a predictive tool early in pregnancy. The most recent systematic review, including papers up to 2015, assessed the differences in AS parameters between women with and without pregnancy complications. Since then, there has been a substantial influx of published research on the topic and a growing interest in the incorporation of AS measurements into clinical practice. Thus, we propose a systematic review and meta-analysis that is more inclusive to all HDP subsets and various hemodynamic indices of vascular health to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of evidence. Specifically, we aim to evaluate these measures in women who develop HDPs compared to normotensive pregnancies to determine which measures are most associated with and/or can predict the development of HDPs. Major databases (Medline, Embase, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PubMed, and CINAHL), grey literature (Google Scholar) and clinical trials (clinicaltrials.gov) will be searched to identify studies that report AS and hemodynamic measurements in pregnant women with and without HDPs. No restrictions will be made on study type or year. Articles will be independently evaluated by three authors to determine eligibility based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Methodological quality of included studies will be assessed. Pooled analyses will be conducted using a random-effects model. Publication bias and between-study heterogeneity will also be assessed. Sources of heterogeneity will be explored by sensitivity, subgroup, and/or meta-regression analyses. Results from this study will be shared through scientific conferences and publications in scientific journals. The analysis of potential AS and hemodynamic markers for HDP onset will help inform the development of screening guidelines and clinically relevant cut-off values of AS and hemodynamic markers for HDP risk, guiding future research. There are no applicable ethical considerations to the writing of this protocol.
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Key Words
- AIx, Augmentation Index
- AIx75, AIx adjusted to a heart rate of 75 beats per minute
- AS, Arterial stiffness
- Arterial stiffness
- CBP, Central blood pressure
- CO, Cardiac output
- CVD, Cardiovascular disease
- FMD, Flow-mediated dilation
- HDP, Hypertensive disorder of pregnancy
- Hemodynamics
- Hypertension
- MAP, Mean arterial pressure
- PWA, Pulse wave analysis
- PWV, Pulse wave velocity
- PrE, Preeclampsia
- Preeclampsia
- Pregnancy complications
- Pulse wave velocity
- SEVR, subendocardial viability ratio
- T1R, Time to wave reflection
- cfPWV, carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity
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Affiliation(s)
- Mekayla Forrest
- Vascular Health Unit, Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, 1001 Décarie Blvd, Montreal, Quebec H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Sophia Bourgeois
- Vascular Health Unit, Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, 1001 Décarie Blvd, Montreal, Quebec H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Émilie Pichette
- Vascular Health Unit, Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, 1001 Décarie Blvd, Montreal, Quebec H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Sarah Caughlin
- Vascular Health Unit, Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, 1001 Décarie Blvd, Montreal, Quebec H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Alvin Kuate Defo
- Vascular Health Unit, Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, 1001 Décarie Blvd, Montreal, Quebec H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Lindsay Hales
- Medical Library, McGill University Health Centre, 1001 Décarie Blvd, Montreal, Quebec H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Christopher Labos
- Queen Elizabeth Health Complex, 2100 Marlowe Suite 236, Montreal, Quebec H4A 3L5, Canada
| | - Stella S. Daskalopoulou
- Medical Library, McGill University Health Centre, 1001 Décarie Blvd, Montreal, Quebec H4A 3J1, Canada
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Brislane Á, Steinback CD, Davenport MH. The Nine Month Stress Test: Pregnancy and Exercise - Similarities and Interactions. Can J Cardiol 2021; 37:2014-2025. [PMID: 34534622 DOI: 10.1016/j.cjca.2021.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Of all physiological systems, the cardiovascular system takes on the most profound adaptation in pregnancy to support fetal growth and development. The adaptations that arise are systemic and involve structural and functional changes that can be observed at the cerebral, central, peripheral, and microvascular beds. This includes, although is not limited to increased heart rate, stroke volume and cardiac output with negligible change to blood pressure, reductions in vascular resistance and cerebral blood flow velocity, systemic artery enlargement, enhanced endothelial function. All of this takes place to accommodate blood volume expansion and ensure adequate fetal and maternal oxygen delivery. In some instances, the demand placed on the vasculature can manifest as cardiovascular maladaptation and thus, cardiovascular complications can arise. Exercise is recommended in pregnancy because of its powerful ability to reduce the incidence and severity of cardiovascular complications in pregnancy. However, the mechanism by which it acts is poorly understood. The first aim of this review is to describe the systemic adaptations that take place in pregnancy. Secondly, this review aims to describe the influence of exercise on these systemic adaptations. It is anticipated that this review can comprehensively capture the extent of knowledge in this area while identifying areas that warrant further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Áine Brislane
- Program for Pregnancy & Postpartum Health, Neurovascular Health Lab, Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation, Women and Children's Health Research Institute, Alberta Diabetes Institute, University of Alberta, Alberta, Canada
| | - Craig D Steinback
- Program for Pregnancy & Postpartum Health, Neurovascular Health Lab, Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation, Women and Children's Health Research Institute, Alberta Diabetes Institute, University of Alberta, Alberta, Canada
| | - Margie H Davenport
- Program for Pregnancy & Postpartum Health, Neurovascular Health Lab, Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation, Women and Children's Health Research Institute, Alberta Diabetes Institute, University of Alberta, Alberta, Canada.
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Gemmel M, Sutton EF, Brands J, Burnette L, Gallaher MJ, Powers RW. l-Citrulline supplementation during pregnancy improves perinatal and postpartum maternal vascular function in a mouse model of preeclampsia. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2021; 321:R364-R376. [PMID: 34259017 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00115.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Preeclampsia is a spontaneously occurring pregnancy complication diagnosed by new-onset hypertension and end-organ dysfunction with or without proteinuria. This pregnancy-specific syndrome contributes to maternal morbidity and mortality and can have detrimental effects on fetal outcomes. Preeclampsia is also linked to increased risk of maternal cardiovascular disease throughout life. Despite intense investigation of this disorder, few treatment options are available. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential therapeutic effects of maternal l-citrulline supplementation on pregnancy-specific vascular dysfunction in the male C57BL/6J × female C57BL/6J C1q-/- preeclampsia-like mouse model. l-Citrulline is a nonessential amino acid that is converted to l-arginine to promote smooth muscle and blood vessel relaxation and improve nitric oxide (NO)-mediated vascular function. To model a preeclampsia-like pregnancy, female C57BL/6J mice were mated to C1q-/- male mice, and a subset of dams was supplemented with l-citrulline throughout pregnancy. Blood pressure, systemic vascular glycocalyx, and ex vivo vascular function were investigated in late pregnancy, and postpartum at 6 and 10 mo of age. Main findings show that l-citrulline reduced blood pressure, increased vascular glycocalyx volume, and rescued ex-vivo vascular function at gestation day 17.5 in this preeclampsia-like model. The vascular benefit of l-citrulline also extended postpartum, with improved vascular function and glycocalyx measures at 6 and 10 mo of age. l-Citrulline-mediated vascular improvements appear, in part, attributable to NO pathway signaling. Taken together, l-citrulline supplementation during pregnancy appears to have beneficial effects on maternal vascular health, which may have translational implications for improved maternal cardiovascular health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Gemmel
- Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Elizabeth F Sutton
- Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Judith Brands
- Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | | | | | - Robert W Powers
- Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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21
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Nerenberg KA, Cooke CL, Smith GN, Davidge ST. Optimizing women's cardiovascular health after hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: a translational approach to cardiovascular disease prevention. Can J Cardiol 2021; 37:2056-2066. [PMID: 34419614 DOI: 10.1016/j.cjca.2021.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2021] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Women who experience a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy (HDP) are amongst those at the highest risk of premature cardiovascular diseases (CVD). In Canada, effective CVD prevention interventions tailored specifically for this high-risk population are urgently needed. The objective of this review is to summarize a broad range of mechanistic and clinical studies examining the association of HDP with future CVD to inform postpartum clinical follow-up strategies focused on improving women's cardiovascular health. The current state of the science (animal model, observational and intervention studies) largely support two main hypotheses explaining the epidemiological link between HDP and long-term risk of CVD. First, that the complicated pregnancy "unmasks" women who were predisposed to CVD prior to pregnancy (i.e., women with subclinical atherosclerosis or pre-pregnancy CVD risk factors). Second, that HDP causes vascular dysfunction and/or worsens preexisting, subclinical CVD risk factors. Despite this strong evidence, several knowledge gaps remain in the understanding of specific mechanisms linking these two theories and the impacts of other important contributors (e.g., intersectional factors). From a clinical perspective, given the consistent data demonstrating a high prevalence of CVD risk factors after HDP, routine care after pregnancy at minimum should include: 1) standardized assessment of pregnancy-associated CV risks (P-CVRs); 2) early and regular screening of traditional CVD risk factors; 3) education and support for health behaviours as first line therapy (including breastfeeding); 4) individualized pharmacotherapy (i.e., statins, antihypertensives or antiglycemic agents as clinically indicated); and 5) consideration of a woman's health goals, reproductive plans and social context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kara A Nerenberg
- Department of Medicine and Libin Cardiovascular Institute, University of Calgary, Canada.
| | - Christy-Lynn Cooke
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Women and Children's Health Research Institute, University of Alberta, Canada
| | - Graeme N Smith
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Queen's University, Canada
| | - Sandra T Davidge
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Women and Children's Health Research Institute, University of Alberta, Canada
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22
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Dervis S, Dobson KL, Nagpal TS, Geurts C, Haman F, Adamo KB. Heat loss responses at rest and during exercise in pregnancy: A scoping review. J Therm Biol 2021; 99:103011. [PMID: 34420641 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2021.103011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The teratogenic risk associated with maternal hyperthermia (i.e., core temperature ≥39.0 °C) has been a crucial motive in understanding thermoregulatory responses in pregnancy. To date, a substantial number of studies have focused on core temperature responses in a wide range of exercise intensities, duration, and ambient temperatures. Fortunately, none have reported core temperatures exceeding 39.0 °C. Nonetheless, there are limited studies that have provided substantial insight into both dry and evaporative heat loss mechanisms involved in facilitating the maintenance of core temperature (≥39.0 °C) during heat stress in pregnant women. The purpose of this scoping review was to summarize the available literature that has assessed heat loss responses in studies of human pregnancy. METHODS A search strategy was developed combining the terms pregnancy, thermoregulation, and adaptation. A systematic search was performed in the following databases: PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and ProQuest. Studies eligible for inclusion included pregnant women between the ages of 18-40 years old, and at least one measurement of the following: sweating, blood flow, skin temperature, and behavioural responses. Retrieved data were categorized as evaporative (sweating), dry or behavioural heat loss responses and summarized narratively. RESULTS Thirty-three studies were included in this review (twenty-nine measured physiological responses and four measured behavioural responses). Studies suggest that during exercise, evaporative (sweating) and dry (skin blood flow and temperature) heat loss responses increase from early to late pregnancy in addition to greater cardiac output, blood volume and reduced vascular resistance. Behavioural practices related to heat loss responses are also influenced by cultural/religious expectations, personal preferences and sociodemographics. CONCLUSION The findings from this review suggest that pregnancy modifies evaporative (sweating), dry and behavioural heat loss. However, future studies have an opportunity to compare heat loss measurements accounting for gestational weight gain and thermal sensation/comfort scale to associate physiological responses with perceptual responses across pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheila Dervis
- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Human Kinetics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada.
| | - Kayla Lerher Dobson
- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Human Kinetics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada.
| | - Taniya Singh Nagpal
- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Human Kinetics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada.
| | - Carla Geurts
- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Human Kinetics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada.
| | - François Haman
- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Human Kinetics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada.
| | - Kristi Bree Adamo
- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Human Kinetics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada.
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23
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Pereira MM, Torrado J, Sosa C, Zócalo Y, Bia D. Role of arterial impairment in preeclampsia: should the paradigm shift? Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2021; 320:H2011-H2030. [PMID: 33797272 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.01005.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Preeclampsia is a worldwide pregnancy complication with serious short- and long-term maternal and neonatal consequences. Our understanding of preeclampsia pathophysiology has significantly evolved over the last decades with the recognition that impaired arterial function and structure may occur early in the course of pregnancy, preceding the clinic-humoral syndrome and driving long-term cardiovascular disease risk in the future of these patients. Although an early abnormal placentation may be the inciting event for a large proportion of cases, there is growing evidence that challenges the placental hypothesis in all affected women, since placental histopathology lesions thought to be characteristic are neither sensitive nor specific markers for the disorder. Recent hemodynamic investigations and studies on left ventricular function and structure in women with preeclampsia further challenge this universal paradigm and propose that placental dysfunction could be secondary to a maternal cardiovascular maladaptation to pregnancy in certain patients. Supporting this hypothesis, certain vascular features, which are characteristically enhanced in normal pregnancy allowing a healthy vascular adaptation, are absent in preeclampsia and comparable to the nonpregnant population. However, arterial biomechanics in preeclampsia may only not cope with hemodynamic demands of pregnancy but also impose additional detrimental loads to the maternal heart ("impaired left-ventricle-aorta coupling") and transmit pressure and flow disturbances into the fetoplacental circulation ("impaired large arteries-microcirculation coupling"). In this review, we analyze the major role of the arterial dysfunction in the cardiovascular maladaptation hypothesis of preeclampsia, shed light on its potential etiopathogenic link, and discuss the complementary nature of the placental and cardiovascular theories.
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Affiliation(s)
- María M Pereira
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Juan Torrado
- Jacobi Medical Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Claudio Sosa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology "C", Pereira-Rossell Hospital, School of Medicine, Republic University, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Yanina Zócalo
- Centro Universitario de Investigación, Innovación y Diagnóstico Arterial, Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Republic University, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Daniel Bia
- Centro Universitario de Investigación, Innovación y Diagnóstico Arterial, Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Republic University, Montevideo, Uruguay
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24
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Meah VL, Khurana R, Hornberger LK, Steinback CD, Davenport MH. Cardiovascular function during triplet pregnancy. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2021; 130:1286-1292. [PMID: 33507851 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00998.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy is recognized as a natural physiological stressor to the maternal cardiovascular system. Cardiovascular adaptation is markedly greater in twin pregnancy compared with singleton pregnancy; however, these changes are sparsely documented in triplet pregnancy. The aim of this case series was to compare maternal cardiac function, cardioautonomic regulation, and blood pressure reactivity in healthy singleton, twin, and triplet pregnancies. Resting cardiac structure and function (echocardiography), beat-by-beat blood pressure variability (BPV; photoplethysmography), and heart rate variability (HRV; electrocardiogram) were measured in two triplet, three twin, and three singleton pregnancies (matched for maternal age, prepregnancy body mass index, and gestational age). Hemodynamic responses to a 3-min cold pressor test were also recorded to assess blood pressure reactivity. Due to the small sample size of this case series, statistical comparisons were not made between groups. Compared with singleton and twin pregnancies, individuals pregnant with triplets had greater resting cardiac output but lower cardiac deformation (longitudinal strain, basal circumferential strain, and torsion), sympathetic dominance in cardioautonomic regulation (lower HRV and higher BPV), and elevated blood pressure reactivity in response to the cold pressor test. Taken together, these observations suggest that females with triplet pregnancies may have reduced cardiovascular function, which may contribute to the heightened risk of complications in multifetal pregnancies.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Individuals with healthy triplet pregnancies had greater resting cardiac output but lower left ventricular mechanics when compared with singleton and twin pregnancies matched for gestational age. In addition, triplet pregnancies had greater blood pressure variability and lower overall heart rate variability compared with singleton pregnancies, as well as greater blood pressure reactivity to the cold pressor test. Healthy triplet pregnancies may have reduced cardiovascular function as well as a greater sympathetic contribution to cardiac control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria L Meah
- Program for Pregnancy and Postpartum Health, Physical Activity and Diabetes Laboratory, Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation, Women and Children's Health Research Institute, Alberta Diabetes Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Rshmi Khurana
- Department of Medicine, Women and Children's Health Research Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Women and Children's Health Research Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Lisa K Hornberger
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Fetal and Neonatal Cardiology Program, Women's and Children Health Research Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Craig D Steinback
- Program for Pregnancy and Postpartum Health, Physical Activity and Diabetes Laboratory, Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation, Women and Children's Health Research Institute, Alberta Diabetes Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.,Neurovascular Health Lab, Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Margie H Davenport
- Program for Pregnancy and Postpartum Health, Physical Activity and Diabetes Laboratory, Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation, Women and Children's Health Research Institute, Alberta Diabetes Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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25
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Gokina NI, Fairchild RI, Bishop NM, Dawson TE, Prakash K, Bonney EA. Kinetics of Postpartum Mesenteric Artery Structure and Function Relative to Pregnancy and Lactation in Mice. Reprod Sci 2021; 28:1200-1215. [PMID: 33415648 PMCID: PMC7935827 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-020-00402-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Epidemiological evidence suggests that normal pregnancy in women is associated with decreased cardiovascular risk in later life. Clinical studies have provided evidence that alterations in vascular function and structure are detectable long after delivery. To understand these findings, we examined mesenteric artery reactivity at both early (3 days and 2–4 weeks) and late (12 weeks) postpartum (PP) time points in relation to late pregnancy (LP) and lactation. Vessels from virgin controls, LP, PP, and nursing and non-nursing mothers were tested for responses to phenylephrine (PE), high potassium solutions (high K+), and acetylcholine (ACh). Passive arterial distensibility, vessel dimensions, and collagen and elastin content were evaluated for the studied groups. We observed that (1) there was a significant inhibition of vascular reactivity to PE in LP, 3 days and 2 weeks PP vessels that returned to pre-pregnancy levels at 4 and 12 weeks PP; (2) inhibition of NO production in PP vessels restored PE-induced constriction to pre-pregnancy levels; (3) vasodilator responses to ACh were similar at all PP periods; (4) LP and early PP was associated with a persistent increase in arterial distensibility that correlates with a PP-induced reduction in wall collagen, and regressed to pre-conception levels at 12 weeks PP; (5) vessels from non-nursing PP mice demonstrated an increased PE reactivity, diminished responses to ACh, and reduced distensibility compared to breastfeeding mice. These studies provide a timeframe for mesenteric artery adaptations that occur during pregnancy and extend to the PP period, but which may be modified by PP events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia I Gokina
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Vermont, Larner College of Medicine, Given Building, 89 Beaumont Avenue, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA.
| | - Rebecca I Fairchild
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Vermont, Larner College of Medicine, Given Building, 89 Beaumont Avenue, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA
| | - Nicole M Bishop
- Microscopy Imaging Center, University of Vermont, Larner College of Medicine, 149 Beaumont Avenue, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA
| | - Taylor E Dawson
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Vermont, Larner College of Medicine, Given Building, 89 Beaumont Avenue, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA
| | - Kirtika Prakash
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Vermont, Larner College of Medicine, Given Building, 89 Beaumont Avenue, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Bonney
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Vermont, Larner College of Medicine, Given Building, 89 Beaumont Avenue, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA
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26
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Meah VL, Kimber ML, Khurana R, Howse R, Hornberger LK, Steinback CD, Davenport MH. Cardioautonomic control in healthy singleton and twin pregnancies. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2020; 130:923-932. [PMID: 33356983 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00707.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In conjunction with significant cardiovascular adaptation, changes in cardioautonomic balance, specifically greater sympathetic activation and vagal withdrawal, are considered normal adaptations to healthy singleton pregnancy. Cardiovascular adaptation to twin pregnancy is more profound than that of singleton pregnancies; however, the changes in cardioautonomic control during multifetal gestation are unknown. To address this gap, beat-by-beat blood pressure (photoplethysmography) and heart rate (lead II electrocardiogram) were measured continuously in 25 twin pregnancies and 25 singleton pregnancies (matched for age, prepregnancy body mass index, and gestational age) during 10 min of rest. Data extracted from a 3- to 5-min period were used to analyze heart rate variability (HRV), blood pressure variability (BPV), cardiovagal baroreflex gain, and cardiac intervals as indicators of cardioautonomic control. Independent t tests were used to determine statistical differences between groups (α = 0.05), and the false rate discovery was determined to adjust for multiple comparisons. Resting heart rate was greater in twin compared with singleton pregnancies (91 ± 10 vs. 81 ± 10 beats/min; P = 0.001), but blood pressure was not different. Individuals with twin pregnancies had lower HRV, evidenced by lower standard deviation of R-R intervals (32 ± 11 vs. 47 ± 18 ms; P = 0.001), total power (1,035 ± 810 vs. 1,945 ± 1,570 ms2; P = 0.004), and high frequency power (224 ± 262 vs. 810 ± 806 ms2; P < 0.001) compared with singleton pregnancies. There were no differences in cardiac intervals, BPV, and cardiovagal baroreflex gain between groups. Our findings suggest that individuals with twin pregnancies have greater sympathetic and lower parasympathetic contributions to heart rate and that cardiac, but not vascular, autonomic control is impacted during twin compared with singleton pregnancy.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Individuals with healthy twin pregnancies had lower overall heart rate variability compared with those with singleton pregnancies at similar gestational ages. These results suggest a greater sympathetic and reduced parasympathetic contribution to cardiac control in twin pregnancies. Baseline heart rate was elevated, while arterial pressure and spontaneous cardiovagal baroreflex gain were not different between groups. This was result of the upward resetting of the cardiovagal baroreflex during healthy twin pregnancy, thus maintaining arterial pressure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria L Meah
- Physical Activity and Diabetes Laboratory, Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport and Recreation, Women and Children's Health Research Institute, Alberta Diabetes Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Miranda L Kimber
- Physical Activity and Diabetes Laboratory, Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport and Recreation, Women and Children's Health Research Institute, Alberta Diabetes Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Rshmi Khurana
- Departments of Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women and Children's Health Research Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | | | - Lisa K Hornberger
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Fetal and Neonatal Cardiology Program, Women's and Children Health Research Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Craig D Steinback
- Physical Activity and Diabetes Laboratory, Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport and Recreation, Women and Children's Health Research Institute, Alberta Diabetes Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.,Neurovascular Health Laboratory, Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Margie H Davenport
- Physical Activity and Diabetes Laboratory, Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport and Recreation, Women and Children's Health Research Institute, Alberta Diabetes Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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27
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Witvrouwen I, Mannaerts D, Van Berendoncks AM, Jacquemyn Y, Van Craenenbroeck EM. The Effect of Exercise Training During Pregnancy to Improve Maternal Vascular Health: Focus on Gestational Hypertensive Disorders. Front Physiol 2020; 11:450. [PMID: 32457655 PMCID: PMC7225346 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.00450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, including gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia, occur in up to 10% of pregnancies and are associated with increased life-long cardiovascular risk. Physical activity improves cardiovascular health in pregnancy and may lower the risk of developing hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. However, a minority of pregnant women comply with the recommended level of physical activity. Adequate knowledge on the physiological effects of exercise in healthy pregnancy could help to overcome potential barriers as pregnancy is a unique window of opportunity to improve health outcomes for both mother and child. In this mini review, we discuss structural and functional vascular adaptations during healthy and hypertensive pregnancies, we elaborate on the effects of exercise on the vasculature and review the safety and existing evidence of exercise training as preventive therapy for gestational hypertensive disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Witvrouwen
- Research Group Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Genetics, Pharmacology and Physiopathology of Heart, Blood Vessels and Skeleton, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.,Department of Cardiology, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Dominique Mannaerts
- Antwerp Surgical Training, Anatomy and Research Centre, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - An M Van Berendoncks
- Research Group Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Genetics, Pharmacology and Physiopathology of Heart, Blood Vessels and Skeleton, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.,Department of Cardiology, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Yves Jacquemyn
- Antwerp Surgical Training, Anatomy and Research Centre, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Emeline M Van Craenenbroeck
- Research Group Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Genetics, Pharmacology and Physiopathology of Heart, Blood Vessels and Skeleton, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.,Department of Cardiology, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
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28
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Garg P, Jaryal AK, Kachhawa G, Kriplani A, Deepak KK. Sequential profile of endothelial functions and arterial stiffness in preeclampsia during the course of pregnancy. Pregnancy Hypertens 2019; 18:88-95. [DOI: 10.1016/j.preghy.2019.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2019] [Revised: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 09/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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29
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Rodriguez C, Chi YY, Chiu KH, Zhai X, Lingis M, Williams RS, Rhoton-Vlasak A, Nichols WW, Petersen JW, Segal MS, Conrad KP, Mohandas R. Wave reflections and global arterial compliance during normal human pregnancy. Physiol Rep 2019; 6:e13947. [PMID: 30578623 PMCID: PMC6303533 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.13947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2018] [Accepted: 11/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Profound changes occur in the maternal circulation during pregnancy. Routine measures of arterial function - central systolic pressure (CSP) and augmentation index (AIx) - decline during normal human pregnancy. The objectives of this study were twofold: (1) explore wave reflection indices besides CSP and AIx that are not routinely reported, if at all, during normal human pregnancy; and (2) compare wave reflection indices and global arterial compliance (gAC) obtained from carotid artery pressure waveforms (CAPW) as a surrogate for aortic pressure waveforms (AOPW) versus AOPW synthesized from radial artery pressure waveforms (RAPW) using a generalized transfer function. To our knowledge, a comparison of these two methods has not been previously evaluated in the context of pregnancy. Ten healthy women with normal singleton pregnancies were studied using applanation tonometry (SphygmoCor) at pre-conception, and then during 10-12 and 33-35 gestational weeks. CSP and AIx declined, and gAC increased during pregnancy as previously reported. As a consequence of the rise in gAC, the return of reflected waves of lesser magnitude from peripheral reflection sites to the aorta was delayed that, in turn, reduced systolic duration of reflected waves, augmentation index, central systolic pressure, LV wasted energy due to reflected waves, and increased brachial-central pulse pressure. For several wave reflection indices, those derived from CAPW as a surrogate for AOPW versus RAPW using a generalized transfer function registered greater gestational increases of arterial compliance. This discordance may reflect imprecision of the generalized transfer function for some waveform parameters, though potential divergence of carotid artery and aortic pressure waveforms during pregnancy cannot be excluded.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Rodriguez
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Yueh-Yun Chi
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Kuei-Hsun Chiu
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Xiaoman Zhai
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Melissa Lingis
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Robert Stan Williams
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Alice Rhoton-Vlasak
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Wilmer W Nichols
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - John W Petersen
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Mark S Segal
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.,Nephrology and Hypertension Section, Medical Service, North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Kirk P Conrad
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.,Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Rajesh Mohandas
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.,Nephrology and Hypertension Section, Medical Service, North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System, Gainesville, Florida
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30
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE To conduct a longitudinal evaluation of the central haemodynamic adaptations of normal pregnancy. METHODS This was a prospective longitudinal study involving healthy, normotensive women who were having an uncomplicated, singleton pregnancy. Brachial and central SBP, DBP, mean arterial pressure (MAP), brachial and central pulse pressure (PP), aorta-to-brachial pulse pressure amplification (AMPA-B), heart rate (HR), augmentation index adjusted for HR (AIx75), carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) and cardiac output (CO) were measured at a mean gestational age of 14, 24 and 36 weeks. RESULTS One hundred women were followed prospectively throughout pregnancy. Brachial and central SBP, DBP and MAP decreased slightly in early gestation, followed by a significant increase in late gestation (P < 0.05). Brachial PP was lowest in the final trimester (P = 0.011) whereas central PP remained unchanged, resulting in a significant decrease in AMPA-B (P < 0.001). HR and AIx75 rose continuously throughout pregnancy (P < 0.001). A significant fall in cfPWV was observed mid-pregnancy, which remained significant after adjustment for MAP and HR (P < 0.05). CO rose mid-pregnancy, before returning to baseline values by week 36 of gestation (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION To our knowledge, this is the largest prospective study to evaluate several central haemodynamic parameters in normotensive pregnancies, including adjusted-AIx and the gold-standard cfPWV. These data are a necessary foundation for the establishment of pregnancy-specific reference values and provide reference data for future trial design.
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Jaimes L, Vinet R, Knox M, Morales B, Benites J, Laurido C, Martínez JL. A Review of the Actions of Endogenous and Exogenous Vasoactive Substances during the Estrous Cycle and Pregnancy in Rats. Animals (Basel) 2019; 9:E288. [PMID: 31146394 PMCID: PMC6617363 DOI: 10.3390/ani9060288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2019] [Revised: 04/04/2019] [Accepted: 04/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Vascular endothelium plays a key role in regulating cardiovascular homeostasis by controlling the vascular tone. Variations in sex hormones during the reproductive cycle of females affect the homeostasis of the cardiovascular system. Also, the evidence shows that estrogens show a cardioprotective effect. On this basis, this study describes some vascular responses induced by vasoactive substances during the estrous cycle in rats. We obtained the information available on this topic from the online databases that included scientific articles published in the Web of Science, PubMed, and Scielo. Many investigations have evaluated the vasoactive response of substances such as acetylcholine and norepinephrine during the estrous cycle. In this review, we specifically described the vascular response to vasoactive substances in rats during the estrous cycle, pregnancy, and in ovariectomized rats. In addition, we discussed the existence of different signaling pathways that modulate vascular function. The knowledge of these effects is relevant for the optimization and development of new treatments for some vascular pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisauris Jaimes
- Faculty of Chemistry and Biology, University de Santiago de Chile, Estación Central 9160020, Chile; (L.J.); (B.M.)
| | - Raúl Vinet
- CMBi, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso 2360102, Chile; (R.V.); (M.K.)
- Regional Centre for Studies in Food and Health (CREAS, Grant R17A10001), Valparaíso 2362696, Chile
| | - Marcela Knox
- CMBi, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso 2360102, Chile; (R.V.); (M.K.)
| | - Bernardo Morales
- Faculty of Chemistry and Biology, University de Santiago de Chile, Estación Central 9160020, Chile; (L.J.); (B.M.)
| | - Julio Benites
- Faculty of Health Science, Universidad Arturo Prat, Iquique 1100000, Chile;
| | - Claudio Laurido
- Faculty of Chemistry and Biology, University de Santiago de Chile, Estación Central 9160020, Chile; (L.J.); (B.M.)
| | - José L. Martínez
- Vice Chancellor of Investigation, Development and Innovation, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Estación Central 9160020, Chile
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Arterial stiffness in normal pregnancy as assessed by digital pulse wave analysis by photoplethysmography – A longitudinal study. Pregnancy Hypertens 2019; 15:51-56. [DOI: 10.1016/j.preghy.2018.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2018] [Revised: 10/14/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Gaussian Modelling Characteristics of Peripheral Arterial Pulse: Difference between Measurements from the Three Trimesters of Healthy Pregnancy. JOURNAL OF HEALTHCARE ENGINEERING 2018; 2018:1308419. [PMID: 30405897 PMCID: PMC6201337 DOI: 10.1155/2018/1308419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2018] [Accepted: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Arterial pulse wave analysis has been attempted to monitor the maternal physiological changes of circulatory system during pregnancy. This study aimed to quantify the difference of Gaussian modelling characteristics derived from radial pulses measured from the three trimesters of healthy pregnant women. Radial pulses were recorded from seventy pregnant women between gestational week 11–13, week 20–22, and then week 37–39. They were then normalized and decomposed into three independent Gaussian waves for deriving four key modelling characteristic parameters: including the peak time interval (T) and peak amplitude ratio (R) between the first and second Gaussian waves (T1,2 and R1,2), and their corresponding values between the first and third Gaussian waves (T1,3 and R1,3). Post hoc multiple comparisons after analysis of variance was then applied to study the within-subject differences in Gaussian modelling characteristics between the three trimesters. The key results were that T1,2 and T1,3 increased significantly (T1,2: 12.8 ± 1.3 vs 13.2 ± 1.3, p < 0.05; T1,3: 39.5 ± 4.3 vs 45.4 ± 5.1, p < 0.001), and R1,3 decreased significantly from the first to second trimester (0.60 ± 0.15 vs 0.53 ± 0.11, p < 0.001). From the second to third trimester, T1,2 decreased significantly (13.2 ± 1.3 vs 12.8 ± 1.2, p < 0.01), and T1,3 and R1,3 decreased slightly but nonsignificantly. Since larger T1,2 and T1,3 and smaller R1,3 are associated with more compliant peripheral arteries, our results indicated that peripheral arteries become more compliant from the first to second trimester and then have a tendency of returning to baseline during normal pregnancy. In conclusion, this study has quantitatively demonstrated significant changes of Gaussian modelling characteristics derived from radial pulses at the three trimesters of normal pregnant women, suggesting that these modelling characteristics could be used as parameters in monitoring maternal physiological changes during normal pregnancy.
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Kumer K, Premru-Sršen T, Fabjan-Vodušek V, Tul N, Fabjan T, Osredkar J. Peripheral arterial tonometry and angiogenic biomarkers in preeclampsia. Hypertens Pregnancy 2018; 37:197-203. [DOI: 10.1080/10641955.2018.1524478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Kumer
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Biochemistry, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tanja Premru-Sršen
- Department of Perinatology, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Vesna Fabjan-Vodušek
- Department of Perinatology, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Nataša Tul
- Department of Perinatology, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Teja Fabjan
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Biochemistry, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Joško Osredkar
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Biochemistry, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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von Wowern E, Saldeen P, Olofsson P. Arterial stiffness during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation and early pregnancy in women exposed to assisted reproduction. Hypertens Pregnancy 2018; 37:182-191. [PMID: 30238809 DOI: 10.1080/10641955.2018.1516225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Female sex hormones have vasorelaxing effects in non-pregnant and pregnant women. We aimed to investigate the effect of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) for in vitro fertilization (IVF), and early pregnancy, on arterial stiffness as assessed by digital pulse wave analysis (DPA), hypothesizing reduced arterial stiffness as an effect of increased estrogen levels. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 68 women undergoing IVF were examined with DPA before conception and during IVF treatment with COH and embryo transfer (ET), and in gestational week seven in 19 women who became pregnant. Heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and the DPA variables cardiac ejection elasticity index (EEI), b/a, dicrotic index (DI), d/a and aging index (AI) were measured. RESULTS HR was significantly increased at all measuring points (p ≤ 0.003) but MAP only at ET (p 0.007). DPA variables representing large arteries (EEI, b/a) and peripheral arteries (DI, but not d/a), and the global variable AI, indicated increased arterial stiffness at ET compared with baseline (p ≤ 0.035). No DPA variable was significantly changed at pregnancy measurements compared to baseline. CONCLUSION During COH for IVF treatment, DPA showed no changes in arterial stiffness during the follicular phase or in early pregnancy, but increased arterial stiffness in central and peripheral arteries in the early luteal phase. The result suggests a hormonal hemodynamic activation counteracting the effects of estrogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma von Wowern
- a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Skåne University Hospital, Institution of Clinical Sciences Malmö , Lund University , Malmö , Sweden
| | - Pia Saldeen
- b Nordic IVF Malmö, Institution of Clinical Sciences Malmö , Lund University , Malmö , Sweden
| | - Per Olofsson
- c Cura Mödravård, Institution of Clinical Sciences Malmö , Lund University , Malmö , Sweden
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Perschbacher KJ, Deng G, Fisher RA, Gibson-Corley KN, Santillan MK, Grobe JL. Regulators of G protein signaling in cardiovascular function during pregnancy. Physiol Genomics 2018; 50:590-604. [PMID: 29702036 PMCID: PMC6139632 DOI: 10.1152/physiolgenomics.00037.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptor signaling mechanisms are implicated in many aspects of cardiovascular control, and dysfunction of such signaling mechanisms is commonly associated with disease states. Investigators have identified a large number of regulator of G protein signaling (RGS) proteins that variously contribute to the modulation of intracellular second-messenger signaling kinetics. These many RGS proteins each interact with a specific set of second-messenger cascades and receptor types and exhibit tissue-specific expression patterns. Increasing evidence supports the contribution of RGS proteins, or their loss, in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular dysfunctions. This review summarizes the current understanding of the functional contributions of RGS proteins, particularly within the B/R4 family, in cardiovascular disorders of pregnancy including gestational hypertension, uterine artery dysfunction, and preeclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Guorui Deng
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Iowa , Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Rory A Fisher
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Iowa , Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Katherine N Gibson-Corley
- Department of Pathology, University of Iowa , Iowa City, Iowa
- UIHC Center for Hypertension Research, University of Iowa , Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Mark K Santillan
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Iowa , Iowa City, Iowa
- UIHC Center for Hypertension Research, University of Iowa , Iowa City, Iowa
- Abboud Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Iowa , Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Justin L Grobe
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Iowa , Iowa City, Iowa
- UIHC Center for Hypertension Research, University of Iowa , Iowa City, Iowa
- Abboud Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Iowa , Iowa City, Iowa
- Fraternal Order of Eagles' Diabetes Research Center, University of Iowa , Iowa City, Iowa
- Obesity Education & Research Initiative, University of Iowa , Iowa City, Iowa
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa , Iowa City, Iowa
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Niemczyk NA, Bertolet M, Catov JM, Desai M, McClure CK, Roberts JM, Sekikawa A, Tepper PG, Barinas-Mitchell EJ. Common carotid artery intima-media thickness increases throughout the pregnancy cycle: a prospective cohort study. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2018; 18:195. [PMID: 29855290 PMCID: PMC5984334 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-018-1841-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background High parity is associated with greater cardiovascular disease (CVD) among mid-life and older women. Prospective studies of arterial change throughout pregnancy are needed to provide insight into potential mechanisms. This study assessed vascular adaptation across pregnancy in healthy first-time pregnant women. Methods The Maternal Vascular Adaptation to Healthy Pregnancy Study (Pittsburgh, PA, 2010–2015) assessed 37 primigravid women each trimester, 6–8 weeks after delivery and 1–5 years postpartum, with B-mode ultrasound imaging of common carotid artery (CCA) intima-media thickness (IMT) and inter-adventitial diameter (IAD) to assess associations with physical and cardiometabolic measures. Results Thirty-seven women (age 28.2 ± 4.5 years, pre-pregnant BMI 24.4 ± 3.2 kg/m2) experienced uncomplicated pregnancies. After adjustment for age and pre-pregnancy BMI, mean (SE) IAD (mm) increased each trimester, from 6.38 (0.08) in the 1st trimester to 6.92 (0.09) in the 3rd trimester, and then returned to 1st trimester levels postpartum (6.35 [0.07], P < 0.001). In contrast, mean (SE) CCA IMT (mm) increased from the 2nd trimester (i.e., 0.546 [0.01]) onward, and remained higher at an average of 2.7 years postpartum (0.581 [0.02], P = 0.03). Weight partially explained changes in IAD. Conclusions In uncomplicated first pregnancies, IAD increased and returned to 1st trimester levels postpartum. In contrast, CCA IMT remained increased 2 years postpartum. Maternal weight explained vascular changes better than did metabolic changes. Increased postpartum CCA IMT may persist and contribute to long-term CVD risk. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12884-018-1841-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy Anderson Niemczyk
- Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, 130 De Soto Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA. .,Department of Health Promotion and Development, School of Nursing, University of Pittsburgh, 3500 Victoria Street, 440 Victoria Building, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA.
| | - Marianne Bertolet
- Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, 130 De Soto Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA
| | - Janet M Catov
- Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, 130 De Soto Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, 3550 Terrace Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.,Department of Clinical and Translational Research, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, 3550 Terrace Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Mansi Desai
- Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, 130 De Soto Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA
| | - Candace K McClure
- Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, 130 De Soto Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA
| | - James M Roberts
- Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, 130 De Soto Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, 3550 Terrace Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.,Department of Clinical and Translational Research, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, 3550 Terrace Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.,Magee-Womens Research Institute, Magee-Womens Hospital of University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), 204 Craft Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Akira Sekikawa
- Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, 130 De Soto Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA
| | - Ping Guo Tepper
- Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, 130 De Soto Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA
| | - Emma J Barinas-Mitchell
- Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, 130 De Soto Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA
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Cardiac function, myocardial mechano-energetic efficiency, and ventricular–arterial coupling in normal pregnancy. J Hypertens 2018; 36:857-866. [DOI: 10.1097/hjh.0000000000001612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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Iacobaeus C, Kahan T, Jörneskog G, Bremme K, Andolf E, Thorsell M. Pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A is positively correlated with first-trimester skin microvascular reactivity. ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY 2018; 51:361-367. [PMID: 28397320 DOI: 10.1002/uog.17486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2017] [Revised: 03/23/2017] [Accepted: 03/31/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the relationship between levels of circulating maternal pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) and first-trimester maternal vascular function. METHODS This was a cross-sectional study of 53 healthy, non-smoking, nulliparous pregnant women in Stockholm, Sweden. PAPP-A levels and vascular function were assessed during gestational weeks 11-14. Forearm skin microcirculation was investigated by laser Doppler perfusion imaging during iontophoresis of acetylcholine (ACh) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) to assess endothelium-dependent and -independent microvascular vasodilatation, respectively. Microvascular endothelial function index was calculated as peak ACh/peak SNP. Endothelium-dependent and -independent vasodilatation in the brachial artery was evaluated, respectively, by postischemic hyperemia-induced flow-mediated vasodilatation (FMD) and by response to sublingual intake of glyceryl trinitrate (GTN). RESULTS PAPP-A was correlated with skin microvascular endothelial function index (β = 1.008 (95% CI, 0.34-1.68), r2 = 0.17, P = 0.004). PAPP-A also correlated inversely with FMD (β = -0.052 (95% CI, -0.094 to -0.011), r2 = 0.13, P = 0.014) but did not relate to forearm endothelial function index (i.e. FMD/GTN). The results were retained in multivariate analyses including known confounding factors. CONCLUSIONS First-trimester endothelium-dependent skin microvascular reactivity was positively related to PAPP-A levels. If confirmed, these novel findings suggest that first-trimester skin microvascular reactivity could be a useful early pregnancy marker of placental function. Copyright © 2017 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Iacobaeus
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Danderyd Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - T Kahan
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Danderyd Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - G Jörneskog
- Division of Medicine, Microcirculation Laboratory, Department of Clinical Sciences, Danderyd Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - K Bremme
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - E Andolf
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Danderyd Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - M Thorsell
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Danderyd Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Foo FL, McEniery CM, Lees C, Khalil A. Assessment of arterial function in pregnancy: recommendations of the International Working Group on Maternal Hemodynamics. ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY 2017; 50:324-331. [PMID: 28667668 DOI: 10.1002/uog.17565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2017] [Revised: 05/29/2017] [Accepted: 06/08/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
There is strong evidence supporting the role of maternal arterial dysfunction in pregnancy-specific disorders such as pre-eclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction. As more work is focused towards this field, it is important that methods and interpretation of arterial function assessment are applied appropriately. Here, we summarize techniques and devices commonly used in maternal health studies, with consideration of their technical application in pregnant cohorts. Copyright © 2017 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- F L Foo
- Division of Cancer & Surgery, Imperial College London, Institute for Reproductive & Developmental Biology, London, UK
| | - C M McEniery
- Division of Experimental Medicine & Immunotherapeutics, University of Cambridge, ACCI, Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | - C Lees
- Division of Cancer & Surgery, Imperial College London, Institute for Reproductive & Developmental Biology, London, UK
| | - A Khalil
- St George's, University of London & St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Molecular and Clinical Sciences Research Institute, London, UK
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The influence of prenatal exercise and pre-eclampsia on maternal vascular function. Clin Sci (Lond) 2017; 131:2223-2240. [PMID: 28798074 DOI: 10.1042/cs20171036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2017] [Revised: 07/03/2017] [Accepted: 07/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
During healthy pregnancy, the cardiovascular system undergoes diverse adaptations to support adequate transfer of oxygen and nutrients from mother to fetus. In order to accommodate the large expansion of blood volume and associated cardiac output, the structure, mechanics, and function of the arteries are altered. Specifically, in healthy pregnancy there is a remodeling of arteries (increased angiogenesis and vasodilation), a generalized reduction in arterial stiffness (increased compliance), and an enhanced endothelial function. The development of pregnancy complications, specifically pre-eclampsia, is associated with poor placentation (decreased angiogenesis), increased arterial stiffness, and vascular dysfunction (reduced endothelial function). Many of the positive adaptations that occur in healthy pregnancy are enhanced in response to chronic exercise. Specifically, placental angiogenesis and endothelial function have been shown to improve to a greater extent in women who are active during their pregnancy compared with those who are not. Prenatal exercise may be important in helping to reduce the risk of vascular dysfunction in pregnancy. However, our knowledge of the vascular adaptations resulting from maternal exercise is limited. This review highlights maternal vascular adaptations occurring during healthy pregnancy, and contrasts the vascular maladaptation associated with pre-eclampsia. Finally, we discuss the role of prenatal exercise on vascular function in the potential prevention of vascular complications associated with pre-eclampsia.
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Ghossein-Doha C, Khalil A, Lees CC. Maternal hemodynamics: a 2017 update. ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY 2017; 49:10-14. [PMID: 28058786 DOI: 10.1002/uog.17377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- C Ghossein-Doha
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC) & Cardiology Department, Zuyderland Medisch Centrum Heerlen, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - A Khalil
- Fetal Medicine Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, St George's University of London, London, UK
| | - C C Lees
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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