EP17.11: Microvascular function assessed by laser speckle contrast imaging in pregnancies complicated by pre‐eclampsia and fetal growth restriction

To compare microvascular function assessed by laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI) combined with post-occlusive reactive hyperemia (PORH) between pregnancies complicated by pre-eclampsia and/or fetal growth restriction (FGR) and uncomplicated pregnancies. 25 women with a singleton gestation complicated by pre-eclampsia and/or FGR, along with 25 uncomplicated pregnancies serving as controls, were enrolled. Cases and controls were matched for gestational age. Skin microvascular blood perfusion was recorded using LSCI coupled with PORH. Skin perfusion was recorded before (baseline flux) and after (peak flux) a 3-minutes occlusion obtained with an inflated pneumatic cuff. The percentage increase of flux from baseline to the maximal post-occlusive response (base-to-peak flux) was calculated. Out of the 25 cases, 12 had both FGR and pre-eclampsia,12 had FGR only, and one patient had only pre-eclampsia. Base-to-peak flux was significantly lower in the group of the 25 cases compared to the uncomplicated controls (mean and SD: 215.5 ± 61.2% vs 283.6 ± 64.2%, p < 0.001), indicating impaired microvascular reactivity. The 13 pregnancies complicated by pre-eclampsia had significant decreased microvascular function compared to the 12 pregnancies with FGR without pre-eclampsia (mean 190.5 ± 52.9% vs 246.2 ± 59.8,p = 0.03). Microvascular function is impaired in pregnancies complicated by placental-related diseases, and in particular in those with pre-eclampsia. Further investigation into the use of the LSCI technique as an adjunctive tool for the prediction and diagnosis of pre-eclampsia is warranted. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.