Open AccessEarly gestational age at preeclampsia onset is associated with subclinical atherosclerosis 12 years after delivery
Author(s) -
Christensen Martin,
Kronborg Camilla Skovhus,
Carlsen Rasmus Kirkeskov,
Eldrup Nikolaj,
Knudsen Ulla Breth
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
acta obstetricia et gynecologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1600-0412
pISSN - 0001-6349
DOI - 10.1111/aogs.13173
Subject(s) - medicine , preeclampsia , gestational age , pulse wave velocity , pregnancy , obstetrics , subclinical infection , intima media thickness , gestational hypertension , small for gestational age , arterial stiffness , cardiology , blood pressure , carotid arteries , genetics , biology
Women with a history of preeclampsia have increased risk of cardiovascular disease later in life. However, it is unclear whether early gestational age at preeclampsia onset is associated with higher cardiovascular disease risk. This study aimed to test the association between gestational age at preeclampsia onset (including the early‐onset/late‐onset preeclampsia distinction) and subclinical atherosclerosis and arterial stiffness in age‐matched women 12 years after index pregnancy. Material and methods Eligible participants were identified in two Danish registries. Main outcome measures were carotid plaque presence, carotid intima‐media thickness, aortic pulse wave velocity, and augmentation index adjusted for heart rate. Results Twenty‐four women with previous early‐onset preeclampsia, 24 with previous late‐onset preeclampsia and 24 with previous normotensive pregnancies were included after matching on age (±2 years) and time since delivery (±1 year). In all outcome measures, the early‐onset group had the highest percentage or mean value. In the adjusted analysis, the early‐onset group significantly differed from the late‐onset group in all outcome measures except aortic pulse wave velocity. The early‐onset group also had significantly higher carotid intima‐media thickness (average and left) compared with the normotensive group. Gestational age at preeclampsia onset as a continuous variable was significantly associated to both carotid plaque presence and carotid intima‐media thickness (average and right). Conclusions Gestational age at preeclampsia onset is negatively associated with markers of subclinical atherosclerosis 12 years after delivery. Potentially, gestational age at preeclampsia onset might be helpful in directing cardiovascular disease prevention after preeclampsia.