Ultrasonographic detection on vascular endothelial function in patients with hypertensive disorders in pregnancy in the third trimester

Objective:To determine whether the vascular endothelial function in patients with hypertensive disorders in pregnancy(HDIP) was impaired in the third trimester.Methods:Seventy-six patients with HDIP in the third trimester as studied group,30 normotensive women as control group were studied,they were measured endothelial function by detecting the brachial artery during baseline,after reactive hyperemia and sublingual glyceryl trinitrate with high resolution ultrasonography,then calculate the changes of brachial arterial inner diameter respectively.Results:(1)After reactive hyperemia,the percent change of studied group was significantly less than that of control group(P0.01),and the percent change of inner diameter of severe pre-eclampsia group was significantly less than that of sligt pre-eclampsia group and gestational hypertension group(P0.01).(2)No significant difference was found in percent change induced by sublingual glyceryl trinitrate between two groups.Conclusion:This study indicates that the function of endothelium-dependent dilation is impaired in patients with HDIP,and it can be detected by high resolution ultrasonography and can be used to diagnose and treat HDIP.