Maternal and cardiovascular factors related to carotid intima-media thickness during pregnancy: A prospective cohort study

Abstract

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Objective: Cardiovascular disease continues to be the most important cause of death among women worldwide. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is a well-known indicator of cardiovascular disease. The study aims to establish associations between CIMT measurements and cardiovascular disease risk factors in pregnancy. Methods: A prospective observational study including normotensive pregnant women. CIMT was measured by mode B-ultrasound in 51 women. Baseline characteristics, weight gain, SBP, DBP, uterine artery Doppler, HbA1c, lipid profile, perceived stress (PSS), anxiety symptoms (STAI) and the level of physical activity during pregnancy were recorded. Results: Normal reference values (mean ± sd) for CIMT (mm) were described for 20–22 weeks (0.513 ± 0.0067), 28–30 weeks (0.504 ± 0.077) and 33–36 weeks (0.499 ± 0.059). Maternal age was correlated to CIMT (Rho Spearman = 0.392, p = 0.016). However, other variables studied such as weight gain, SBP, DBP, uterine artery Doppler, HbA1c, lipid profile, perceived stress (PSS), and anxiety symptoms (STAI) showed no correlation with CIMT measurements. CIMT was similar in active vs non-active participants (0.540 ± 0.069 vs. 0.489 ± 0.054 mm, p = 0.053). CIMT measurements did not change with gestational age (p = 0.751). Conclusions: Among normotensive pregnant individuals, CIMT is associated with maternal age but remains stable across gestational age and unaffected by various cardiovascular risk factors during pregnancy