OBJECTIVE: To identify possible differences between endothelial dysfunction evaluated by brachial artery flow-mediated dilation and central hyperperfusion evaluated by dopplerfluxometry of ophthalmic artery in women with early- and late-onset preeclampsia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Flow-mediated dilation testing and dopplerfluxometry of ophthalmic artery were performed in 81 patients (26 with early preeclampsia, 30 with late preeclampsia, and 25 normotensive pregnant women - control group). RESULTS: As compared with the control group, patients with preeclampsia presented lower values of flow-mediated dilation, both in cases of early preeclampsia (7.62 ± 5.42% × 14.12 ± 6.14%; p = 0.02) and in cases of late preeclampsia (5.83 ± 4.12% × 14.12 ± 6.14%; p = 0.00). No statistically significant difference was observed between early- and late-onset preeclampsia (7.62 ± 5.42% × 5.83 ± 4.12%; p = 0.09). Values for dopplerfluxometry of ophthalmic artery were significant lower in patients with preeclampsia as compared with the control group, both in cases of early preeclampsia (0.631 ± 0.024 × 0.737 ± 0.032; p = 0.01) and in cases of late preeclampsia (0.653 ± 0.019 × 0.737 ± 0.032; p = 0.03). Again, no statistically significant difference was observed between early- and late-onset preeclampsia (0.631 ± 0.024 × 0.653 ± 0.019; p = 0.12). Basically, the results demonstrate a decrease in values for dopplerfluxometry of ophthalmic artery in patients with early and late presentations of preeclampsia as compared with the control group, although with no statistically significant difference between the two presentations of the disease. CONCLUSION: The present results indicate the presence of endothelial dysfunction and central hyperperfusion in patients with early- and late-onset preeclampsia.
Preeclampsia; Flow-mediated dilation; Ophthalmic arteries
