NONINVASIVE TEST OF MICROVASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL FUNCTION IN NORMAL AND HYPERTENSIVE PREGNANCIES

Objective To examine microvascular endothelial cell function in vivo i n pre-eclampsia. Design Iontophoresis of acetylcholine (Ach), which gi ves rise to endothelial cell dependent vasodilatation, and of sodium n itroprusside (SNP), which elicits vasodilatation independently of func tioning vascular endothelium. Setting Sodersjukhuset, Stockholm, Swede n. Subjects Ten pre-eclamptic patients, ten healthy pregnant women and ten healthy nonpregnant women were examined. Main outcome measures Th e degree of vasodilatation following iontophoretic administration of A ch compared with SNP was recorded with a laser Doppler technique, the data being analysed on a personal computer. Results Both Ach and SNP a dministration resulted in marked vasodilatation; the magnitude of the vasodilatation was similar in the three groups of women. Conclusion Fo llowing iontophoretic administration of endothelial cell dependent or independent vasodilatators, laser Doppler measurement of blood flow de monstrated no microvascular endothelial cell dysfunction in pre-eclamp tic women.