Background: Pre-eclampsia, a condition specific to pregnancy, is a leading cause of maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity. It has been shown in non-pregnant patients that hypertension increases the tensile stress applied on the carotid artery; in essential hypertension this leads to increased carotid arterial intima–media thickness (IMT) and stiffness.
Methods: It was a hospital based comparative observational study conducted at department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, SMS Medical College and attached hospitals, Jaipur. The study included two groups consisting of 30 women in each group. The study group was consist of 30 women with singleton pregnancy with gestational period of ³20 weeks with preeclampsia. 30 normotensive women with singleton pregnancy with gestational period of ³20 weeks was the controls.
Results: Mean IMT in study group was higher as compared to control group and the difference was statistically significant (0.45 ± 0.09 mm v/s 0.35 ± 0.09 mm). Carotid artery internal diameter was higher in study group as compared to control group (7.36 ± 0.61 mm v/s 6.73 ± 0.72 mm). The difference was statistically significant.
Conclusion: Intima media thickness measurements in women with pre-eclampsia could offer an opportunity to identify a high-risk group of women who might benefit from early screening and preventive measure. These measures would include life style modification such as improving diet and physical activity and increase surveillance of blood pressure, blood glucose and serum lipid, thereby reducing their cardio-vascular related morbidity and mortality in later life.
Keywords: Intima media thickness, pre-eclampsia, blood pressure.
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