Large body of evidence suggests maternal endothelial dysfunction (EDF) has a central role in the development of preeclampsia, the most serious hypertensive pregnancy disorder that significantly increases risk for future cardiovascular diseases. Because pathophysiology of preeclampsia remains within 72 hrs of delivery of the placenta, the quantification of surrogate MRI markers of EDF was performed after birth in women with and without hypertensive pregnancy. The quantitative MRI protocol evaluates peripheral micro- and macrovascular reactivity and central arterial stiffness in a single scan session. Preliminary results show a trend of impaired vascular reactivity after hypertensive pregnancy relative to normotensive pregnancy.
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