Ultraschall Med 2016; 37 - PS5_07
DOI: 10.1055/s-0036-1587870

Reference values for carotid intima-media thickness and flow-mediated dilatation in normal pregnancies from 8 to 41 weeks gestation and from 8 to 14 weeks postpartum

A Brückmann 1, C Seeliger 2, T Lehmann 3, D Schlembach 4, E Schleußner 2
  • 1GesaTal Medical Center, Department of Prenatal Diagnosis and Preventive Medicine, Erfurt, Germany
  • 2University Hospital Jena, Friedrich-Schiller-University, Department of Obstetrics, Jena, Germany
  • 3University Hospital Jena, Friedrich-Schiller-University, Institute of Medical Statistics, Jena, Germany
  • 4Vivantes Hospital, Department of Obstetrics, Berlin-Neukölln, Germany

Purpose: To determine carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) and to describe the characteristic of both endothelial markers, throughout pregnancy and postpartum.

Material and methods: A cross-sectional analysis of 566 low-risk singleton pregnancies, including 987 visits, was performed from 8 to 41 weeks' gestation and from 8 to 14 weeks postpartum, using high-resolution ultrasound and an automated reading program.

Results: When segregated for gestational age, the mean ± SD cIMT was 0.32 ± 0.09 in the first (1T), second (2T) and third trimester (3T) and 0.35 ± 0.09 at postpartum period (PP). The means for FMD were as follows: [1T: 7.6 ± 6.2; 2T: 8.5 ± 6.6; 3T: 7.7 ± 5.7; PP: 6.5 ± 4.9]. No significant changes from the midline in cIMT and FMD were observed with increasing gestational/postpartum weeks.

Conclusion: Normal reference ranges for cIMT and FMD were established. This may serve as a basis for further studies and patients with abnormal endothelial function.