Clinical, laboratory and ultrasonographic risk factors for uterine artery arteriosclerosis: Insights for uterus transplantation

Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2023 May;161(2):579-585. doi: 10.1002/ijgo.14527. Epub 2022 Nov 23.

Abstract

Objective: To assess uterine artery arteriosclerosis prevalence in women undergoing total hysterectomy for benign diseases, and any associations between clinical, laboratory, and ultrasound factors and uterine artery arteriosclerosis occurrence.

Methods: A single center, observational, prospective, cohort study was performed enrolling all symptomatic patients scheduled for total hysterectomy from May to December 2021. Our outcomes were: uterine artery arteriosclerosis prevalence and the difference in clinical, laboratory, and ultrasonographic factors between patients with and without uterine artery arteriosclerosis.

Results: Forty women were included. Uterine artery arteriosclerosis prevalence was 70%. Body mass index (BMI) (P = 0.04) and triglycerides (P = 0.04) were significantly higher in patients with uterine artery arteriosclerosis than in patients without; while high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (P = 0.02) was significantly lower. Uterine arteries with arteriosclerosis showed higher peak systolic velocity (PSV) values compared with vessels without arteriosclerosis (P = 0.05).

Conclusions: Uterine artery arteriosclerosis shows a high prevalence in women undergoing total hysterectomy for benign diseases. Higher BMI, serum triglycerides, and PSV, and lower serum HDL appear as risk factors for uterine artery arteriosclerosis.

Keywords: Mönckeberg disease; Total hysterectomy; doppler transvaginal ultrasound; serum lipid profile; uterus transplantation failure.

MeSH terms

  • Arteriosclerosis* / diagnostic imaging
  • Arteriosclerosis* / epidemiology
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Prospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Uterine Artery* / diagnostic imaging
  • Uterus / blood supply
  • Uterus / diagnostic imaging
  • Uterus / transplantation