PhD Scientific Days 2022

Translational Medicine II. (Poster discussion will take place in the Aula during the Coffee Break)

Peripheral Pulse Wave Alterations in Gestational Diabetes

Text of the abstract

Introduction: Gestational diabetes (GDM) affects 10% of pregnant women. Even nowadays, GDM constitutes an increased risk for perinatal maternal and fetal complications which most often develop on the basis of GDM-related cardiovascular (CV) alterations. However, these often remain unrevealed as CV monitoring of patients is challenging. Peripheral pulse wave analysis may be a suitable tool for early recognition of CV changes in GDM.
Aims: In our study, we aim to identify the pulse wave and pulse rate variability (PRV) characteristics that differ between healthy pregnant women and those diagnosed with GDM, and to investigate how these parameters are related to other diagnostic parameters and how they predict poor pregnancy outcome.
Methods: Women diagnosed with GDM and carrying a healthy pregnancy attending the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Semmelweis University are recruited in the study. We perform the following examinations: Questionnaire, Fetal ultrasound, Flowmetry (a. uterina, a. umbilicalis), Peripheral pulse wave recording (2 min, with pulse oximeter), Blood pressure measurement. Pulse wave and PRV values are compared in the 2 studied groups and correlated with other test results, also their predictive value on pathologic pregnancy outcomes is analyzed with multiple regression analysis.
Results: At the current stage of the study, we were able to compare the pulse wave measurements of 29 GDM (age: 33.76 ± 5.38 years) and 9 healthy (age: 32.78 ± 4.09 years) pregnant women (24-34 weeks of pregnancy). Based on the present data, no significant differences were found between the two study groups in terms of pulse wave morphology and PRV parameters.
Based on the currently available data, we have found that the value of the total spectral power parameter (characteristic of the adaptivity of the autonomic nervous system) is a negative predictor of a composite adverse pregnancy outcome (preterm delivery, fetal, maternal complications).
Conclusion: Our results show that pulse and PRV parameter values do not differ between healthy and GDM pregnant women. This may be due to close blood glucose control in GDM patients. Based on these results, it seems reasonable to also conduct a study among mothers at the time of GDM diagnosis. Research is ongoing by recruiting more women and collecting birth data.
Funding: EFOP-3.6.3-VEKOP-16-2017-00009