Impaired baroreflex function during pregnancy is associated with stiffening of the carotid artery

Abstract

Stiffening of the carotid artery significantly contributes to the impairment of baroreflex sensitivity during pregnancy, and represents a region specific change as global arterial distensibility was found to increase during pregnancy.

Diabetic Neuropathy Is a More Important Determinant of Baroreflex Sensitivity Than Carotid Elasticity in Type 2 Diabetes

“…Previous investigations have demonstrated that BRS is significantly related to carotid artery distensibility. A positive association between the elastic properties of the carotid artery and BRS has been reported in healthy volunteers, 25 pregnant women, 26 hypertensive subjects, 27 and nondiabetic patients with carotid artery stenosis. 28 However, in this study we did not observe any correlation between BRS and common carotid artery wall distensibility in T2DM patients with at least 2 additional cardiovascular risk factors.…”

“…In the comparative nondiabetic group with similar degree of arterial stiffening as evidence by equally elevated PWV and reduced carotid distensibility, a positive but weak correlation was observed between carotid distensibility and BRS, confirming previous observations in the nondiabetic group of subjects. [25][26][27][28] There are several aspects of the study that deserve clarification to properly interpret the data. First, spontaneous baroreflex sensitivity estimation using the alpha index and the sequence techniques may have a different meaning compared with the traditional phenylephrine method.…”

Influence of hyperglycemia during and after pregnancy on postpartum vascular function

“…This carotid artery stiffening during normal pregnancy resulted from an increase in diameter that was offset by decreased distension and increased pulse pressure (30). Visontai et al (46) proposed that carotid artery stiffening during pregnancy is related to plasma levels of estrogen (a vasodilator) and angiotension II (a vasoconstrictor). Arterial smooth muscle cells express receptors in varying densities to both hormones in the brachial and carotid artery.…”

Early onset of subclinical atherosclerosis in women with gestational diabetes mellitus

“…We also found a positive correlation between the presence of GDM and increased CIMT. CIMT increases from the first to the third trimester of pregnancy and regresses in the postpartum period 17,18 . In pregnant rats, arterial remodeling has been observed, with a reduction of vessel wall elastin concentration and a marked increase in the production of smooth muscle 19 .…”