Effects of pregnancy on endothelial function and cardiovascular disease risk in HIV-infected women

Abstract Objective This study assessed flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) and brachial artery diameter (BAD) in HIV-infected pregnant women compared to healthy pregnant controls, and determined their relationships to variables of interest, including the HIV status. Methods Subjects were enrolled prospectively for this longitudinal, observational study. Body mass index (BMI), blood pressure (BP), fasting lipoprotein profiles, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), FMD, and BAD were assessed at 10–12, 20–22, and 32–35 weeks gestation in HIV-infected women and healthy controls aged 18–45 years with singleton pregnancies. Results Fourteen HIV-infected women and 19 controls were enrolled. Groups were similar at baseline except there were more Caucasians in the control group ( P P  = 0.002), but not with age, BMI, BP, TC, TG, HOMA-IR, or HIV status. No variables were associated with BAD. Conclusion No differences were observed in FMD or BAD between HIV-infected and healthy pregnant women, and neither measure changed significantly during pregnancy. HIV status did not affect endothelial function or brachial artery diameter. Pregnancy does not appear to further increase the CVD risk associated with HIV infection.