Endothelium-dependent vasodilatation in formerly preeclamptic women correlates inversely with body mass index and varies independently of plasma volume

Endothelial dysfunction and a subnormal plasma volume predispose to precclampsia. The authors determine whether endothelium-dependent vasodilatation is lower in formerly preeclamptic women, explore whether endothelial dysfunction coincides with low plasma volume, and determine if endothelial dysfunction correlates with circulating endothelial stressors. In formerly preeclamptic women and controls, the authors estimated changes in forearm blood flow after arterial occlusion. They measured plasma volume, blood pressure, and circulating variables. To identify factors associated with endothelial function, the authors used Spearman correlation and regression analysis. Endothelial function did not differ between patients and controls and did not correlate with plasma volume; however, it did correlate negatively with body mass index and positively with arterial compliance. Analysis sugested a negative impact of metabolic syndrome on endothelial function. In formerly preeclamptic women, endothelial function is comparable to controls and varies independently of plasma volume. Inpatients, endothelial function does vary with features of the metabolic syndrome.