Vascular ultrasound measures before pregnancy and pregnancy complications: A prospective cohort study

ABSTRACT

Objectives: To examine the relationship between pre-pregnancy indicators of cardiovascular risk and pregnancy complications and outcomes. Study design: Data from 359 female participants in the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study were linked with the national birth registry. Flow-mediated dilatation (FMD; maximum change in the left brachial artery diameter after rest and hyperemia); carotid intima-media thickness (IMT); Young’s elastic modulus (YEM); and carotid artery distensibility (Cdist) at the visit prior to the pregnancy were examined as predictors of hypertensive disorders, birthweight, and gestational age using multivariable linear regression with adjustment for confounders (age, BMI, smoking, and socioeconomic status). Results: No relations were seen between FMD, IMT, or the stiffness indices, and hypertensive disorders. Higher pre-pregnancy FMD was associated with lower gestational age, while increased Cdist was associated with reduced birthweight-for-gestational-age. Conclusions: Some cardiovascular ultrasound measures of pre-pregnancy may predict pregnancy complications, but the association is likely to be small.

KEYWORDS:

• Birth
• premature
• brachial artery
• hypertension
• pregnancy-induced
• infant
• low birth weight
• ultrasonography

Funding

The Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns study was supported financially by the Academy of Finland (grants 117797, 126925, and 121584), Social Insurance Institution of Finland, Turku University Foundation, special federal grants for Turku University Central Hospital, Juho Vainio Foundation, Finnish Foundation of Cardiovascular Research, Finnish Cultural Foundation, and Orion Farmos Research Foundation. The data linkage was supported by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (K12HD043451 to EWH).

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Additional information

Funding

The Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns study was supported financially by the Academy of Finland (grants 117797, 126925, and 121584), Social Insurance Institution of Finland, Turku University Foundation, special federal grants for Turku University Central Hospital, Juho Vainio Foundation, Finnish Foundation of Cardiovascular Research, Finnish Cultural Foundation, and Orion Farmos Research Foundation. The data linkage was supported by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (K12HD043451 to EWH).