Non-invasive vascular assessment in gestational hypertension and preeclampsia during pregnancy and the postpartum period: a systematic review.

What was studied

This review looked at non-invasive tests of blood vessels. The tests were used in pregnancy and after birth. It focused on women with gestational hypertension or preeclampsia. The tests included pulse-wave velocity, eye artery Doppler and retinal imaging. They also included carotid intima-media thickness and flow-mediated dilation. The team searched several databases up to May 2024. The studies covered 32,683 people. They differed too much to pool. So the team summed them up in words.

What they found

Women with gestational hypertension generally had stiffer arteries. Their blood vessel lining worked less well. Their vessel walls were thicker. This was seen in pregnancy and after birth. Several studies found these changes lasting from weeks to years after delivery. Findings on this were inconsistent. Eye artery Doppler results varied. Retinal imaging found changes in vessel width during pregnancy and after birth.

What it means for patients

The authors say these tests can help find vessel problems. This applies to women with gestational hypertension and preeclampsia. They say some changes last beyond delivery. They say these may add to long-term heart risk.

Why it is not certain yet

They say the evidence is not enough to use the tests alone as predictors. The studies differed in design and methods. Findings on how long changes last were inconsistent. They call for standard, prospective long-term studies.

Source

Non-invasive vascular assessment in gestational hypertension and preeclampsia during pregnancy and the postpartum period: a systematic review.

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