Peripheral arterial pulse wave analysis in women with pre-eclampsia and gestational hypertension.

OBJECTIVE

To compare peripheral pulse pressure waveforms in normal pregnancy, gestational hypertension (GH) and pre-eclampsia (PE).

DESIGN

Comparative study.

SETTING

Tertiary referral teaching hospital.

SAMPLE

Women with hypertensive disease in pregnancy and matched normal pregnant controls.

METHODS

Women in the third trimester of pregnancy with newly developed PE (n= 27) or GH (n= 33) were studied by radial artery applanation tonometry. Values were compared with those for gestational age matched normal pregnant women (n= 39).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Augmentation Index.

RESULTS

Hypertension was of equal severity in PE and GH. Central augmentation pressure and augmentation index, indicating vasoconstriction, were mildly elevated in GH, but markedly elevated in PE.

CONCLUSION

Non-invasive applanation tonometry discriminates among normal pregnancy, GH and PE, and may be useful to predict PE.