Cardiovascular disease risk is only elevated in hypertensive, formerly preeclamptic women

Prediction model for hypertension in first decade after pre-eclampsia in initially normotensive women

OBJECTIVE

To develop a prediction model for the development of hypertension in the decade following pre-eclampsia in women who were normotensive shortly after pregnancy.

METHODS

This was a longitudinal cohort study of formerly pre-eclamptic women attending a university hospital in The Netherlands between 1996 and 2019. We developed a prediction model for incident hypertension using multivariable logistic regression analysis. The model was validated internally using bootstrapping techniques.

RESULTS

Of 259 women, 185 (71%) were normotensive at the first cardiovascular assessment, at a median of 10 (interquartile range (IQR), 6-24) months after a pre-eclamptic pregnancy, of whom 49 (26%) had developed hypertension by the second visit, at a median of 11 (IQR, 6-14) years postpartum. The prediction model, based on birth-weight centile, mean arterial pressure, total cholesterol, left ventricular mass index and left ventricular ejection fraction, had good-to-excellent discriminative ability, with an area under the receiver-operating-characteristics curve (AUC) of 0.82 (95% CI, 0.75-0.89) and an optimism-corrected AUC of 0.80. The sensitivity and specificity of our model to predict hypertension were 98% and 34%, respectively, and positive and negative predictive values were 35% and 98%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on five variables, we developed a good-to-excellent predictive tool to identify incident hypertension following pre-eclampsia in women who were normotensive shortly after pregnancy. After external validation, this model could have considerable clinical utility in tackling the cardiovascular legacy of pre-eclampsia. © 2023 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Cardiovascular and renal health: Preeclampsia as a risk marker

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular (CVD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in women have unique risk factors related to hormonal status and obstetric history that must be taken into account. Pregnancy complications, such as preeclampsia (PE), can reveal a subclinical predisposition for the development of future disease that may help identify women who could benefit from early CVD and CKD prevention strategies.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Review of PE and its association with future development of CVD and CKD.

RESULTS

Multiple studies have established an association between PE and the development of ischemic heart disease, chronic hypertension, peripheral vascular disease, stroke and CKD. It has not been sufficiently clarified if this relation is a causal one or if it is mediated by common risk factors. Nevertheless, the presence of endothelial dysfunction and thrombotic microangiopathy during pregnancies complicated with PE makes us believe that PE may leave a long-term imprint. Early identification of women who have had a pregnancy complicated by PE becomes a window of opportunity to improve women's health through adequate follow-up and targeted preventive actions. Oxidative stress biomarkers and vascular ultrasound may play a key role in the early detection of this arterial damage.

CONCLUSIONS

The implementation of preventive multidisciplinary targeted strategies can help slow down CVD and CKD's natural history in women at risk through lifestyle modifications and adequate blood pressure control. Therefore, we propose a series of recommendations to guide the prediction and prevention of CVD and CKD throughout life of women with a history of PE.

Peripartum and Long-Term Maternal Cardiovascular Health After Preeclampsia

There is widespread acceptance of the increased prevalence of cardiovascular diseases occurring within 1 to 2 decades in women following a preeclamptic pregnancy. More recent evidence suggests that the deranged biochemical and echocardiographic findings in women do not resolve in the majority of preeclamptic women following giving birth. Many women continue to be hypertensive in the immediate postnatal period with some exhibiting occult signs of cardiac dysfunction. There is now promising evidence that with close monitoring and effective control of blood pressure control in the immediate postnatal period, women may have persistently lower blood pressures many years after stopping their medication. This review highlights the evidence that delivering effective medical care in the fourth trimester of pregnancy can improve the long-term cardiovascular health after a preeclamptic birth.

Screening high-risk population of persistent postpartum hypertension in women with preeclampsia using latent class cluster analysis

BACKGROUND

A significant proportion of women with preeclampsia (PE) exhibit persistent postpartum hypertension (PHTN) at 3 months postpartum associated with cardiovascular morbidity. This study aimed to screen patients with PE to identify the high-risk population with persistent PHTN.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study enrolled 1,000 PE patients with complete parturient and postpartum blood pressure (BP) profiles at 3 months postpartum. The enrolled patients exhibited new-onset hypertension after 20 weeks of pregnancy, while those with PE superimposed upon chronic hypertension were excluded. Latent class cluster analysis (LCCA), a method of unsupervised learning in machine learning, was performed to ascertain maternal exposure clusters from eight variables and 35 subordinate risk factors. Logistic regression was applied to calculate odds ratios (OR) indicating the association between clusters and PHTN.

RESULTS

The 1,000 participants were classified into three exposure clusters (subpopulations with similar characteristics) according to persistent PHTN development: high-risk cluster (31.2%), medium-risk cluster (36.8%), and low-risk cluster (32.0%). Among the 1,000 PE patients, a total of 134 (13.4%) were diagnosed with persistent PHTN, while the percentages of persistent PHTN were24.68%, 10.05%, and 6.25% in the high-, medium-, and low-risk clusters, respectively. Persistent PHTN in the high-risk cluster was nearly five times higher (OR, 4.915; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.92-8.27) and three times (OR, 2.931; 95% CI, 1.91-4.49) than in the low- and medium-risk clusters, respectively. Persistent PHTN did not differ between the medium- and low-risk clusters. Subjects in the high-risk cluster were older and showed higher BP, poorer prenatal organ function, more adverse pregnancy events, and greater medication requirement than the other two groups.

CONCLUSION

Patients with PE can be classified into high-, medium-, and low-risk clusters according to persistent PHTN severity; each cluster has cognizable clinical features. This study's findings stress the importance of controlling persistent PHTN to prevent future cardiovascular disease.

Risk of future cardiovascular diseases in different years postpartum after hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

There are limited data on the optimal timing and frequency of postpartum follow-up visits after hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) for primary prevention and early detection of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in high-risk women. We aimed to evaluate the risk of cardiovascular outcomes later in life in women with prior HDP in different years postpartum and in preeclamptic women with severe features, or early onset of preeclampsia.

METHODS

We searched MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Scopus without language restriction for relevant articles published from inception to March 16, 2022. We included prospective and retrospective cohort studies assessing hypertension, ischemic heart disease, heart failure, venous thromboembolism, peripheral vascular disease, stroke, dementia, composite cardiovascular and/or cerebrovascular diseases, and mortality after 6 weeks postpartum, in women with prior HDP compared with controls. Two authors independently selected and appraised the studies. Article quality was independently assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Random-effect models were used for meta-analysis. Stratified analyses based on years postpartum, severity, and onset of preeclampsia were performed.

RESULTS

We included 59 studies for qualitative review, of which 56 were included in quantitative meta-analysis, involving 1,262,726 women with prior HDP and 14,711,054 controls. Women with prior HDP had increased risks of hypertension (relative risk [RR] 3.46, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.67-4.49), ischemic heart disease (RR 2.06, 95% CI: 1.38-3.08), and heart failure (RR 2.53, 95% CI: 1.28-5.00) later in life, compared with those with normotensive pregnancies. The risk of hypertension was highest during 5 years postpartum (RR 5.34, 95% CI: 2.74-10.39). Compared with normotensive pregnancies, the risk of future CVDs significantly increased in preeclamptic women.

DISCUSSION

A history of HDP is associated with approximately 2- to 4-fold increase in the risk of CVDs. Screening for CVDs and their risk factors in women with prior HDP since delivery, especially the first 5 years after delivery is suggested for early detection and appropriate management. Evidence on the risks of CVDs in preeclampsia with severe features and early onset of preeclampsia is limited due to having few studies and high heterogeneity.

FUNDING

The Royal Golden Jubilee PhD Program-RGJ (PHD/0183/2561); Thailand Science Research and Innovation (TSRI) Research Career Development Grant-RSA (RSA6180009); Targeted Research Grants Program of the Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Thailand.

REGISTRATION

CRD42020191550.

No accelerated arterial aging in relatively young women after preeclampsia as compared to normotensive pregnancy

Introduction

Preeclampsia, an endothelial disorder of pregnancy, predisposes to remote cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Whether there is an accelerated effect of aging on endothelial decline in former preeclamptic women is unknown. We investigated if the arterial aging regarding endothelial-dependent and -independent vascular function is more pronounced in women with a history of preeclampsia as compared to women with a history of solely normotensive gestation(s).

Methods

Data was used from the Queen of Hearts study (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT02347540); a large cross-sectional study on early detection of cardiovascular disease among young women (≥18 years) with a history of preeclampsia and a control group of low-risk healthy women with a history of uncomplicated pregnancies. Brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD; absolute, relative and allometric) and sublingually administered nitroglycerine-mediated dilation (NGMD; absolute and relative) were measured using ultrasound. Cross-sectional associations of age with FMD and NGMD were investigated by linear regression. Models were adjusted for body mass index, smoking, antihypertensive drug use, mean arterial pressure, fasting glucose, menopausal state, family history of CVD and stress stimulus during measurement. Effect modification by preeclampsia was investigated by including an interaction term between preeclampsia and age in regression models.

Results

Of the 1,217 included women (age range 22–62 years), 66.0% had a history of preeclampsia and 34.0% of normotensive pregnancy. Advancing age was associated with a decrease in relative FMD and NGMD (unadjusted regression coefficient: FMD: −0.48%/10 years (95% CI:−0.65 to −0.30%/10 years), NGMD: −1.13%/10 years (−1.49 to −0.77%/10 years)) and increase in brachial artery diameter [regression coefficient = 0.16 mm/10 years (95% CI 0.13 to 0.19 mm/10 years)]. Similar results were found when evaluating FMD and NGMD as absolute increase or allometrically, and after confounder adjustments. These age-related change were comparable in former preeclamptic women and controls (p-values interaction ≥0.372). Preeclampsia itself was independently associated with consistently smaller brachial artery diameter, but not with FMD and NGMD.

Conclusion

In young- to middle-aged women, vascular aging in terms of FMD and NGMD was not accelerated in women after preeclampsia compared to normotensive pregnancies, even though former preeclamptic women consistently have smaller brachial arteries.

Hypertension: Potential Player in Cardiovascular Disease Incidence in Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia (PE) is one of the complications, that threatens pregnant mothers during pregnancy. According to studies, it accounts for 3-7% of all pregnancies, and also is effective in preterm delivery. PE is the third leading cause of death in pregnant women. High blood pressure in PE can increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) in cited individuals, and is one of the leading causes of death in PE individuals. Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), Renin-Angiotensin system and nitric oxide (NO) are some of involved factors in regulating blood pressure. Therefore, by identifying the signaling pathways, that are used by these molecules to regulate and modulate blood pressure, appropriate treatment strategies can be provided to reduce blood pressure through target therapy in PE individuals; consequently, it can reduce CVD risk and mortality.

Use of Race, Ethnicity, and National Origin in Studies Assessing Cardiovascular Risk in Women With a History of Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy

Women with a history of hyperBtensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are at particularly high risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and CVD-related death, and certain racial and ethnic subpopulations are disproportionately affected by these conditions. We examined the use of race, ethnicity, and national origin in observational studies assessing CVD morbidity and mortality in women with a history of HDP. A total of 124 studies, published between 1976 and 2021, were reviewed. We found that white women were heavily overrepresented, encompassing 53% of all participants with HDP. There was limited and heterogeneous reporting of race and ethnicity information across studies and only 27 studies reported including race and/or ethnicity variables in at least 1 statistical analysis. Only 2 studies mentioned the use of these variables as a strength; several others (k = 18) reported a lack of diversity among participants as a study limitation. Just over half of included articles (k = 68) reported at least 1 sociodemographic variable other than race and ethnicity (eg, marital status and income); however, none investigated how they might have worked synergistically or antagonistically with race and/or ethnicity to influence participants' risk of CVD. These findings highlight significant areas for improvement in cardiovascular obstetrics research, including the need for more robust and standardized methods for collecting, reporting, and using sociodemographic information. Future studies of CVD risk in women with a history of HDP should explicitly examine racial and ethnic differences and use an intersectional approach.

Previous preeclampsia and its association with the future development of cardiovascular diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Preeclampsia is a multifactorial disease. Among these factors, untreated hypertension during pregnancy can result in high morbidity and mortality rates and may also be related to the future development of cardiovascular diseases.Therefore, this systematic review aimed to determine the association of previous preeclampsia with the future development of cardiovascular diseases. Studies on the association between preeclampsia and future cardiovascular diseases published in the last 10 years (2009-2019) were identified from the PubMed/Medline (207 articles), Embase (nine articles), and Cochrane (three articles) databases using the keywords "preeclampsia" and "future cardiovascular diseases", "preeclampsia" and "future heart attack", and "preeclampsia" and "future cardiac disease". After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 15 articles were analyzed by systematic review and meta-analysis according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The meta-analysis and the determination of the quality of the articles were conducted using RevMan software, version 5.3. Statistically significant differences were observed between the control and previous preeclampsia groups with respect to systolic blood pressure (mean difference [MD] 4.32; 95% confidence interval [95%CI] 3.65, 4.99; p<0.001), diastolic blood pressure (MD): 2.11; 95%CI: 1.68, 2.55; p<0.0001), and insulin level (MD: 2.80; 95% CI: 0.50, 5.11; p<0.001). Body mass index (MD: 2.57, 95%CI: 2.06, 3.07; p=0.0001), total cholesterol (MD: 10.39; 95%CI: 8.91, 11.87; p=0.0001), HDL (MD: 2.83; 95%CI: 2.20, 3.46; p=0.0001), and LDL (MD: 1.77; 95%CI: 0.42, 3.13; p=0.0001) also differed significantly between groups. Thus, the results of the present study showed that women with a history of preeclampsia were more likely to develop cardiovascular disease.

Hydrogen sulfide releasing molecule MZe786 inhibits soluble Flt-1 and prevents preeclampsia in a refined RUPP mouse model

An imbalance in angiogenic growth factors and poor utero-placental perfusion are strongly associated with preeclampsia. The reduced utero-placental perfusion (RUPP) model that mimics insufficient placental perfusion is used to study preeclampsia. The aim of this study was to develop a refined RUPP model in C57Bl/6 J mice to test the efficacy of MZe786 as a potential inhibitor of soluble Flt-1 for preeclampsia therapy. Murine RUPP (mRUPP) was induced through bilateral ligation of the ovarian arteries at E11.5 that resulted in typical preeclampsia symptoms including increase in mean arterial pressure (MAP), kidney injury and elevated soluble Flt-1 (sFlt-1) levels in the maternal plasma and amniotic fluid. The murine RUPP kidneys showed tubular and glomerular damage along with increased oxidative stress characterised by increased nitrotyrosine staining. The mRUPP displayed abnormal placental vascular histology, reduced expression of placental cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE), the hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) producing enzyme, and resulted in adverse fetal outcomes (FGR). Importantly, oral administration of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S)-releasing compound MZe786 from E11.5 to E17.5 successfully prevented the development of preeclampsia. Specifically, MZe786 treatment reduced maternal MAP and kidney nitrotyrosine staining and improved fetal outcome. The circulation levels of sFlt-1 were dramatically decreased in MZe786 treated animals implying that H₂S released from MZe786 offered protection by inhibiting sFlt-1 levels. MZe786 prevent preeclampsia and warrant a rapid move to randomised control clinical trial.

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Refined mouse reduced uterine perfusion pressure (mRUPP) model exhibits preeclampsia symptoms.

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Mouse RUPP induces maternal hypertension, kidney injury, elevates circulating sFlt-1 levels and promotes nitrosative stress.

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Mouse RUPP reduces expression of the protective enzyme, placental cystathionine γ-lyase and causes poor fetal outcome.

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H₂S releasing aspirin, MZe786, acts as an inhibitor of sFlt-1 to successfully prevent preeclampsia and improve fetal outcome.

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MZe786 is a novel drug with therapeutic potential to prevent preeclampsia.

Disparities in the Prevalence of Excess Heart Age Among Women with a Recent Live Birth

Background: Understanding and addressing cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk has implications for maternal and child health outcomes. Heart age, the modeled age of an individual's cardiovascular system based on risk level, and excess heart age, the difference between a person's heart age and chronological age, are alternative simplified ways to communicate CVD risk. Among women with a recent live birth, we predicted heart age, calculated prevalence of excess heart age (≥5 years), and examined factors associated with excess heart age. Materials and Methods: Data were analyzed in 2017 from 2009 to 2014 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS). To calculate heart age we used maternal age, prepregnancy body mass index, systolic blood pressure, smoking status, and diabetic status. Weighted prevalence and prevalence ratios compared the likelihood of excess heart age across racial/ethnic groups by selected factors. Results: Prevalence of excess heart age was higher in non-Hispanic black women (11.8%) than non-Hispanic white women (7.3%, prevalence ratio [PR], 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.62, 1.49-1.76) and Hispanic women (4.9%, PR, 95% CI: 2.39, 2.10-2.72). Prevalence of excess heart age was highest among women who were without health insurance, obese or overweight, engaged in physical activity less than thrice per week, or were smokers in the prepregnancy period. Among women with less than high school education, non-Hispanic black women had a higher prevalence of excess heart age than Hispanic women (PR, 95% CI: 4.01, 3.15-5.10). Conclusions: Excess heart age may be an important tool for decreasing disparities and encouraging CVD risk reduction among certain groups of women.

Effects of preeclampsia and eclampsia on maternal metabolic and biochemical outcomes in later life: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the association between preeclampsia (PE) and eclampsia (E) on subsequent metabolic and biochemical outcomes.

METHODS

Systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. We searched five engines until November 2018 for studies evaluating the effects of PE/E on metabolic and biochemical outcomes after delivery. PE was defined as presence of hypertension and proteinuria at >20 weeks of pregnancy; controls did not have PE/E. Primary outcomes were blood pressure (BP), body mass index (BMI), metabolic syndrome (MetS), blood lipids and glucose levels. Random effects models were used for meta-analyses, and effects reported as risk difference (RD) or mean difference (MD) and their 95% confidence interval (CI). Subgroup analyses by time of follow up, publication year, and confounder adjustment were performed.

RESULTS

We evaluated 41 cohorts including 3300 PE/E and 13,967 normotensive controls. Women were followed up from 3 months after delivery up to 32 years postpartum. In comparison to controls, PE/E significantly increased systolic BP (MD = 8.3 mmHg, 95%CI 6.8 to 9.7), diastolic BP (MD = 6.8 mmHg, 95%CI 5.6 to 8.0), BMI (MD = 2.0 kg/m²; 95%CI 1.6 to 2.4), waist (MD = 4.3 cm, 95%CI 3.1 to 5.5), waist-to-hip ratio (MD = 0.02, 95%CI 0.01 to 0.03), weight (MD = 5.1 kg, 95%CI 2.2 to 7.9), total cholesterol (MD = 4.6 mg/dL, CI 1.5 to 7.7), LDL (MD = 4.6 mg/dL; 95%CI 0.2 to 8.9), triglycerides (MD = 7.7 mg/dL, 95%CI 3.6 to 11.7), glucose (MD = 2.6 mg/dL, 95%CI 1.2 to 4.0), insulin (MD = 19.1 pmol/L, 95%CI 11.9 to 26.2), HOMA-IR index (MD = 0.7, 95%CI 0.2 to 1.2), C reactive protein (MD = 0.05 mg/dL, 95%CI 0.01 to 0.09), and the risks of hypertension (RD = 0.24, 95%CI 0.15 to 0.33) and MetS (RD = 0.11, 95%CI 0.08 to 0.15). Also, PE/E reduced HDL levels (MD = -2.15 mg/dL, 95%CI -3.46 to -0.85). Heterogeneity of effects was high for most outcomes. Risk of bias was moderate across studies. Subgroup analyses showed similar effects as main analyses.

CONCLUSION

Women who had PE/E have worse metabolic and biochemical profile than those without PE/E in an intermediate to long term follow up period.

Risk prediction of maternal cardiovascular disease one year after hypertensive pregnancy complications or gestational diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND

Previous preeclampsia, gestational hypertension and gestational diabetes mellitus show a firm epidemiological association to maternal cardiovascular disease risk. Cardiovascular disease risk assessment is recommended in women after these pregnancy complications, but not offered in most countries. We therefore wanted to evaluate the applicability of currently recommended cardiovascular disease risk scores for women one-year postpartum of such pregnancy complications.

DESIGN AND METHODS

We tested applicability of three scoring systems, the Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD) score, the Joint British Societies for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease (JBS3) score and Framingham 30 year Risk Score-Cardiovascular Disease (FRS-CVD) in 235 women one-year postpartum (controls: 94, gestational hypertension: 35, preeclampsia: 81, gestational diabetes mellitus: 25). Statistical analysis was performed with Mann-Whitney U test for continuous and Fisher's mid-corrected p and Pearson's r for dichotomous variables. A value of p < 0.050 was considered significant.

RESULTS

Most women (87.7%) were below 40 years of age, rendering 10-year risk estimations recommended by American and European societies inapplicable. FRS-CVD could be assessed in all women. Significantly fewer could be assessed by the ASCVD (81.5%) and JBS3 (91.6%). All scoring systems showed small, but significant increases in risk scores for one or more of the pregnancy complication groups, but none at the risk magnitude for cardiovascular disease shown in epidemiological studies.

CONCLUSION

We demonstrate that ASCVD, JBS3 and FRS-CVD are inadequate in assessing cardiovascular disease risk one-year postpartum. We suggest that pregnancy complications need to be considered separately when evaluating maternal cardiovascular disease risk and need for postpartum follow-up.

Maternal Venous Hemodynamic Dysfunction in Proteinuric Gestational Hypertension: Evidence and Implications

This review summarizes current knowledge from experimental and clinical studies on renal function and venous hemodynamics in normal pregnancy, in gestational hypertension (GH) and in two types of preeclampsia: placental or early-onset preeclampsia (EPE) and maternal or late-onset (LPE) preeclampsia, presenting at <34 weeks and ≥34 weeks respectively. In addition, data from maternal venous Doppler studies are summarized, showing evidence for (1) the maternal circulation functioning closer to the upper limits of capacitance than in non-pregnant conditions, with intrinsic risks for volume overload, (2) abnormal venous Doppler measurements obtainable in preeclampsia, more pronounced in EPE than LPE, however not observed in GH, and (3) abnormal venous hemodynamic function installing gradually from first to third trimester within unique pathways of general circulatory deterioration in GH, EPE and LPE. These associations have important clinical implications in terms of screening, diagnosis, prevention and management of gestational hypertensive diseases. They invite for further hypothesis-driven research on the role of retrograde venous congestion in the etiology of preeclampsia-related organ dysfunctions and their absence in GH, and also challenge the generally accepted view of abnormal placentation as the primary cause of preeclampsia. The striking similarity between abnormal maternal venous Doppler flow patterns and those observed at the ductus venosus and other abdominal veins of the intra-uterine growth restricted fetus, also invites to explore the role of venous congestion in the intra-uterine programming of some adult diseases.

Hypertension and Pregnancy: Management and Future Risks

Pregnancy-induced hypertension is a major cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. The overall strategies of defining and managing these conditions are aimed at preventing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular complications in the mother without jeopardizing fetal well-being. Our understanding of the origin of these disorders is evolving. Women with chronic hypertension should undergo a prepregnancy evaluation and close monitoring during and after pregnancy to ensure medication safety and to prevent end-organ damage. Based on available data, the current recommendation is that antihypertensive therapy should be initiated only in women with severe hypertension (defined as systolic blood pressure ≥160 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥105 mm Hg). It is now becoming more and more clear that hypertensive complications during pregnancy are potentially linked to cardiovascular, kidney, and metabolic diseases later in life. This review discusses the spectrum of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, general management principles, and the need to monitor for long-term cardiovascular sequelae for decades afterward.

Blood Pressure Profile 1 Year After Severe Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia increases the long-term risk of cardiovascular disease, possibly through occurrence of hypertension after delivery, such as masked hypertension, night-time hypertension, and an adverse systolic night-to-day blood pressure (BP) ratio. These types of hypertension are often unnoticed and can only be detected with ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM). We aimed to determine hypertension prevalence and 24-hour BP pattern with ABPM and office BP measurements in women 1 year after severe preeclampsia. This is a retrospective cohort study. As part of a follow-up program after severe preeclampsia, 200 women underwent ABPM and an office BP measurement 1 year after delivery. We calculated hypertension prevalence (sustained hypertension, masked hypertension, and white-coat hypertension) and systolic night-to-day BP ratio (dipping pattern). Medical files and questionnaires provided information on preexisting hypertension and antihypertensive treatment. One year after delivery, 41.5% of women had hypertension (sustained hypertension, masked hypertension, or white-coat hypertension) with ABPM. Masked hypertension was most common (17.5%), followed by sustained hypertension (14.5%) and white-coat hypertension (9.5%). With sheer office BP measurement, only 24.0% of women would have been diagnosed hypertensive. Forty-six percent of women had a disadvantageous dipping pattern. Hypertension is common 1 year after experiencing severe preeclampsia. Masked hypertension and white-coat hypertension are risk factors for future cardiovascular disease and can only be diagnosed with ABPM. Therefore, ABPM should be offered to all these women at high risk of developing hypertension and possibly future cardiovascular disease.

Long-term mortality risk and life expectancy following recurrent hypertensive disease of pregnancy

BACKGROUND

Women with a history of hypertensive disease of pregnancy have increased risks for early mortality from multiple causes. The effect of recurrent hypertensive disease of pregnancy on mortality risk and life expectancy is unknown.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to determine whether recurrent hypertensive disease of pregnancy is associated with increased mortality risks.

STUDY DESIGN

In this retrospective cohort study, we used birth certificate data to determine the number of pregnancies affected by hypertensive disease of pregnancy for each woman delivering in Utah from 1939 through 2012. We assigned women to 1 of 3 groups based on number of affected pregnancies: 0, 1, or ≥2. Exposed women had ≥1 affected singleton pregnancy and lived in Utah for ≥1 year postpartum. Exposed women were matched 1:2 to unexposed women by age, year of childbirth, and parity. Underlying cause of death was determined from death certificates. Mortality risks by underlying cause of death were compared between exposed and unexposed women as a function of number of affected pregnancies. Cox regressions controlled for infant sex, gestational age, parental education, ethnicity, and marital status.

RESULTS

We identified 57,384 women with ≥1 affected pregnancy (49,598 women with 1 affected pregnancy and 7786 women with ≥2 affected pregnancies). These women were matched to 114,768 unexposed women. As of 2016, 11,894 women were deceased: 4722 (8.2%) exposed and 7172 (6.3%) unexposed. Women with ≥2 affected pregnancies had increased mortality from all causes (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.04; 95% confidence interval, 1.76-2.36), diabetes (adjusted hazard ratio, 4.33; 95% confidence interval, 2.21-8.47), ischemic heart disease (adjusted hazard ratio, 3.30; 95% confidence interval, 2.02-5.40), and stroke (adjusted hazard ratio, 5.10; 95% confidence interval, 2.62-9.92). For women whose index pregnancy delivered from 1939 through 1959 (n = 10,488), those with ≥2 affected pregnancies had shorter additional life expectancies than mothers who had only 1 or 0 hypertensive pregnancies (48.92 vs 51.91 vs 55.48 years, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Hypertensive diseases of pregnancy are associated with excess risks for early all-cause mortality and some cause-specific mortality, and these risks increase further with recurrent disease.

Preeclampsia: Pathogenesis, Prevention, and Long-Term Complications

Preeclampsia continues to afflict 5% to 8% of all pregnancies throughout the world and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality to the mother and the fetus. Although the pathogenesis of the disorder has not yet been fully elucidated, current evidence suggests that imbalance in angiogenic factors is responsible for the clinical manifestations of the disorder, and may explain why certain populations are risk. In this review, we begin by demonstrating the roles that angiogenic factors play in pathogenesis of preeclampsia and its complications in the mother and the fetus. We then continue to report on the use of angiogenic markers as biomarkers to predict and risk-stratify disease. Strategies to treat preeclampsia by correcting the angiogenic balance, either by promoting proangiogenic factors or by removing antiangiogenic factors in both animal and human studies, are discussed. We end the review by summarizing status of the current preventive strategies and the long-term cardiovascular outcomes of women afflicted with preeclampsia.

Oxidative stress and endothelial function in normal pregnancy versus pre-eclampsia, a combined longitudinal and case control study

Background

Pre-eclampsia (PE) is related to an impaired endothelial function. Endothelial dysfunction accounts for altered vascular reactivity, activation of the coagulation cascade and loss of vascular integrity. Impaired endothelial function originates from production of inflammatory and cytotoxic factors by the ischemic placenta and results in systemic oxidative stress (OS) and an altered bioavailability of nitric oxide (•NO). The free radical •NO, is an endogenous endothelium-derived relaxing factor influencing endothelial function. In placental circulation, endothelial release of •NO dilates the fetal placental vascular bed, ensuring feto-maternal exchange. The Endopreg study was designed to evaluate in vivo endothelial function and to quantify in vitro OS in normal and pre-eclamptic pregnancies.

Methods/design

The study is divided into two arms, a prospective longitudinal study and a matched case control study. In the longitudinal study, pregnant patients ≥18 years old with a singleton pregnancy will be followed throughout pregnancy and until 6 months post-partum. In the case control study, cases with PE will be compared to matched normotensive pregnant women. Maternal blood concentration of superoxide (O₂•) and placental concentration of •NO will be determined using EPR (electron paramagnetic resonance). Endothelial function and arterial stiffness will be evaluated using respectively Peripheral Arterial Tonometry (PAT), Flow-Mediated Dilatation (FMD) and applanation tonometry. Placental expression of eNOS (endothelial NOS) will be determined using immune-histochemical staining. Target recruitment will be 110 patients for the longitudinal study and 90 patients in the case-control study.

Discussion

The results of Endopreg will provide longitudinal information on in vivo endothelial function and in vitro OS during normal pregnancy and PE. Adoption of these vascular tests in clinical practice potentially predicts patients at risk to develop cardiovascular events later in life after PE pregnancies. •NO, O₂•⁻ and eNOS measurements provide further inside in the pathophysiology of PE.

Trial registration

This trial has been registered on clinicaltrials.gov. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02603913. Registered October 2015.

History of Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes, Blood Pressure, and Subclinical Vascular Measures in Late Midlife: SWAN (Study of Women's Health Across the Nation)

BACKGROUND

Adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as preterm birth (PTB), have been associated with elevated risk of maternal cardiovascular disease, but their effect on late midlife blood pressure (BP) and subclinical vascular measures remains understudied.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We conducted a cross-sectional analysis with 1220 multiethnic parous women enrolled in SWAN (Study of Women's Health Across the Nation) to evaluate the impact of self-reported history of adverse pregnancy outcomes (PTB, small-for-gestational-age, stillbirth), on maternal BP, mean arterial pressure, and subclinical vascular measures (carotid intima-media thickness, plaque, and pulse wave velocity) in late midlife. We also examined whether these associations were modified by race/ethnicity. Associations were tested in linear and logistic regression models adjusting for sociodemographics, reproductive factors, cardiovascular risk factors, and medications. Women were on average aged 60 years and 255 women reported a history of an adverse pregnancy outcome. In fully adjusted models, history of PTB was associated with higher BP (systolic: β=6.40; SE, 1.62 [P<0.0001] and diastolic: β=3.18; SE, 0.98 [P=0.001]) and mean arterial pressure (β=4.55; SE 1.13 [P<0.0001]). PTB was associated with lower intima-media thickness, but not after excluding women with prevalent hypertension. There were no significant associations with other subclinical vascular measures.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggest that history of PTB is associated with higher BP and mean arterial pressure in late midlife. Adverse pregnancy outcomes were not significantly related to subclinical cardiovascular disease when excluding women with prevalent hypertension. Future studies across the menopause transition may be important to assess the impact of adverse pregnancy outcomes on midlife progression of BP.

Angiogenic and antiangiogenic factors in preeclampsia

BACKGROUND

Pre-eclampsia is a multifactorial hypertensive disorder that is triggered by placental insufficiency and that accounts for up to 15% of maternal deaths. In normal pregnancies, this process depends on the balance between the expression of angiogenic factors and antiangiogenic factors, which are responsible for remodeling the spiral arteries, as well as for neoangiogenesis and fetal development.

PURPOSE

The aim of this review is to discuss the main scientific findings regarding the role of angiogenic and antiangiogenic factors in the etiopathogenesis of preeclampsia.

METHODS

An extensive research was conducted in the Pubmed database in search of scientific manuscripts discussing potential associations between angiogenic and antiangiogenic factors and preeclampsia. Ninety-one papers were included in this review.

RESULTS

There is an increased expression of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase receptor and soluble endoglin in pre-eclampsia, as well as reduced placental expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and placental growth factor. Systemic hypertension, proteinuria and kidney injury - such as enlargement and glomerular fibrin deposit, capillary occlusion due to edema, and hypertrophy of endocapillary cells - are some of these changes. The complex etiopathogenesis of preeclampsia instigates research of different biomarkers that allow for the early diagnosis of this entity, such as vascular endothelial growth factor, placental growth factor, soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase receptor, soluble endoglin, placental glycoprotein pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A and protein 13.

CONCLUSION

Even though it is possible to establish an efficient and effective diagnostic tool, three key principles must be observed in the management of preeclampsia: prevention, early screening and treatment.

Preventing cardiovascular disease after hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: Searching for the how and when

Background

Women with a history of a hypertensive disorder during pregnancy (HDP) have an increased risk of cardiovascular events. Guidelines recommend assessment of cardiovascular risk factors in these women later in life, but provide limited advice on how this follow-up should be organized.

Design

Systematic review and meta-regression analysis.

Methods

The aim of our study was to provide an overview of existing knowledge on the changes over time in three major modifiable components of cardiovascular risk assessment after HDP: blood pressure, glucose homeostasis and lipid levels. Data from 44 studies and up to 6904 women with a history of a HDP were compared with risk factor levels reported for women of corresponding age in the National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey, Estudio Epidemiólogico de la Insuficiencia Renal en España and Hong Kong cohorts (N = 27,803).

Results

Compared with the reference cohort, women with a HDP presented with higher mean blood pressure. Hypertension was present in a higher rate among women with a previous HDP from 15 years postpartum onwards. At 15 years postpartum (±age 45), one in five women with a history of a HDP suffer from hypertension. No differences in glucose homeostasis parameters or lipid levels were observed.

Conclusions

Based on our analysis, it is not possible to point out a time point to commence screening for cardiovascular risk factors in women after a HDP. We recommend redirection of future research towards the development of a stepwise approach identifying the women with the highest cardiovascular risk.

Preeclampsia and cognitive impairment later in life

BACKGROUND

Hypertension is a risk factor for cerebrovascular disease and cognitive impairment. Women with hypertensive episodes during pregnancy report variable neurocognitive changes within the first decade following the affected pregnancy. However, long-term follow-up of these women into their postmenopausal years has not been conducted.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to examine whether women with a history of preeclampsia were at increased risk of cognitive decline 35-40 years after the affected pregnancy.

STUDY DESIGN

Women were identified and recruited through the medical linkage, population-based Rochester Epidemiologic Project. Forty women with a history of preeclampsia were age- and parity-matched to 40 women with a history of normotensive pregnancy. All women underwent comprehensive neuropsychological assessment and completed self-report inventories measuring mood, ie, depression, anxiety, and other symptoms related to emotional state. Scores were compared between groups. In addition, individual cognitive scores were examined by neuropsychologists and a neurologist blinded to pregnancy status, and a clinical consensus diagnosis of normal, mild cognitive impairment, or dementia for each participant was conferred.

RESULTS

Age at time of consent did not differ between preeclampsia (59.2 [range 50.9-71.5] years) and normotensive (59.6 [range 52.1-72.2] years) groups, nor did time from index pregnancy (34.9 [range 32.0-47.2] vs 34.5 [range 32.0-46.4] years, respectively). There were no statistically significant differences in raw scores on tests of cognition and mood between women with histories of preeclampsia compared to women with histories of normotensive pregnancy. However, a consensus diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment or dementia trended toward greater frequency in women with histories of preeclampsia compared to those with normotensive pregnancies (20% vs 8%, P = .10) and affected more domains among the preeclampsia group (P = .03), most strongly related to executive dysfunction (d = 1.96) and verbal list learning impairment (d = 1.93).

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest a trend for women with a history of preeclampsia to exhibit more cognitive impairment later in life than those with a history of normotensive pregnancy. Furthermore, the pattern of cognitive changes is consistent with that observed with vascular disease/white matter pathology.

All-Cause and Cause-Specific Mortality After Hypertensive Disease of Pregnancy

OBJECTIVE

To assess whether women with a history of hypertensive disease of pregnancy have increased risk for early adult mortality.

METHODS

In this retrospective cohort study, women with one or more singleton pregnancies (1939-2012) with birth certificate information in the Utah Population Database were included. Diagnoses were categorized into gestational hypertension; preeclampsia; hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count syndrome; and eclampsia. Women with more than one pregnancy with hypertensive disease (exposed) were included only once, assigned to the most severe category. Exposed women were matched one to two to unexposed women by age, year of childbirth, and parity at the time of the index pregnancy. The causes of death were ascertained using Utah death certificates and the fact of death was supplemented with the Social Security Death Index. Hazard ratios for cause-specific mortality among exposed women compared with unexposed women were estimated using Cox regressions adjusting for neonatal sex, parental education, preterm delivery, race-ethnicity, and maternal marital status.

RESULTS

A total of 60,580 exposed women were matched to 123,140 unexposed women; 4,520 (7.46%) exposed and 6,776 (5.50%) unexposed women had died by 2012. All-cause mortality was significantly higher among women with hypertensive disease of pregnancy (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.65, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.57-1.73). Exposed women's greatest excess mortality risks were from Alzheimer disease (adjusted HR 3.44, 95% CI 1.00-11.82), diabetes (adjusted HR 2.80, 95% CI 2.20-3.55), ischemic heart disease (adjusted HR 2.23, 95% CI 1.90-2.63), and stroke (adjusted HR 1.88, 95% CI 1.53-2.32).

CONCLUSION

Women with hypertensive disease of pregnancy have increased mortality risk, particularly for Alzheimer disease, diabetes, ischemic heart disease, and stroke.

Association of Pregnancy Complications and Characteristics With Future Risk of Elevated Blood Pressure: The Västerbotten Intervention Program

Pregnancy characteristics are associated with risk of cardiovascular diseases, but their independent associations with hypertension or blood pressure (BP) levels remain uncertain. We linked the Swedish Medical Birth Register with Västerbotten Intervention Program data (Northern Sweden). Using linear and logistic regression, we related pregnancy factors in any prior pregnancy with BP and hypertension at 40 years of age in 15 896 parous women free of prepregnancy hypertension. Pregnancy factors included parity, age at first delivery, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus, placental abruption, shortest gestational age small for gestational age baby (<third percentile for birth weight) or stillbirth. We defined hypertension as systolic BP ≥140 mm Hg and diastolic BP ≥90 mm Hg or antihypertensive use. Multivariable models were adjusted for all pregnancy factors and potential lifestyle and sociodemographic confounders. At 40 years of age, 1535 women (9.6%) had hypertension. In multivariable models, lower parity, younger age at first birth, preeclampsia, small for gestational age, and placental abruption were independently associated with higher systolic and diastolic BP levels at 40 years of age. Younger age at first birth, preeclampsia, gestational age <32 versus ≥37 weeks, and small for gestational age were independently associated with hypertension. Our findings raise the possibility that earlier and more frequent BP screening may be desirable in women with these pregnancy characteristics.

Pre-eclampsia is associated with a twofold increase in diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Pre-eclampsia is a pregnancy-specific multisystem disorder and a state of physiological insulin resistance. Our aim was to systematically evaluate and quantify the evidence on the relationship between pre-eclampsia and the future risk of diabetes.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies that evaluated diabetes in women with and without pre-eclampsia. We performed a systematic search of MEDLINE and EMBASE to identify relevant studies. Independent double data extractions were conducted by four reviewers. Random-effects meta-analysis was used to estimate the risk of future diabetes following pre-eclampsia.

RESULTS

A total of 21 studies were identified with more than 2.8 million women, including more than 72,500 women with pre-eclampsia. Meta-analysis of studies that adjusted for potential confounders demonstrated that pre-eclampsia was independently associated with an increased risk of future diabetes (RR 2.37 [95% CI 1.89, 2.97]). This risk appeared in studies that followed women from less than 1 year postpartum (RR 1.97 [95% CI 1.35, 2.87]) and persisted to more than 10 years postpartum (RR 1.95 [95% CI 1.28, 2.97]). After adjusting for BMI or gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia remained linked with an increased risk of future diabetes (RR 2.38 [95% CI 1.74, 3.24] and RR 2.36 [95% CI 1.94, 2.88], respectively).

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

Pre-eclampsia is independently associated with a twofold increase in future diabetes. Our study highlights the importance of clinical risk assessment for the future development of diabetes in women with pre-eclampsia. We recommend detailed evaluation of a screening programme for diabetes in this high-risk population.

Preeclampsia and cardiovascular disease risk assessment - Do arterial stiffness and atherosclerosis uncover increased risk ten years after delivery?

OBJECTIVES

Epidemiological studies associate preeclampsia with increased risk of premature cardiovascular disease (CVD) later in life. This study aims to make a comprehensive CVD risk assessment comparing women with previous preeclamptic pregnancies to women with previous normotensive pregnancies 10years after index pregnancy.

STUDY DESIGN

A nested, matched, observational cohort study.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Markers of arterial stiffness, aortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV) and augmentation index (AIx-75), and markers of atherosclerosis, carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and carotid plaque presence. Traditional CVD risk factors and 10-year and 30-year Framingham CVD risk scores were also assessed.

RESULTS

Women were included from April 2014 to October 2014 at a tertiary referral hospital in Denmark. Twenty-one exposed women with a history of preeclampsia and 21 unexposed with a history of normotensive pregnancies were included. Ten years after delivery, significantly more exposed women suffered from hypertension and received antihypertensive treatment and significantly more fulfilled the hypertension-definition at screening. Previously preeclamptic women also tended to have more unfavorable CVD risk estimates. The Framingham risk scores seemed to extend the unfavorable CVD risk. The exposed women tended to have a higher aPWV compared to unexposed women, (P=0.057). No differences were shown in the other examined arteriosclerotic or atherosclerotic variables.

CONCLUSIONS

Ten years after delivery, we found increased risk of hypertension and trend toward unfavorable CVD risk profile in 40-year-old previously preeclamptic women. However, arterial stiffness and atherosclerosis did not uncover any additional CVD risk information at this time point.

Focused Cardiovascular Care for Women: The Need and Role in Clinical Practice

Over the past decade, an emerging clinical research focus on cardiovascular (CV) disease (CVD) risk in women has highlighted sex-specific factors that are uniquely important in the prevention and early detection of coronary atherosclerosis in women. Concurrently, a 30% decrease in the number of female deaths from CVD has been observed. Despite this, CVD continues to be the leading cause of death in women, outnumbering deaths from all other causes combined. Clinical practice approaches that focus on the unique aspects of CV care for women are needed to provide necessary resources for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of CVD in women. In addition to increasing opportunities for women to participate in CV research, Women's Heart Clinics offer unique settings in which to deliver comprehensive CV care and education, ensuring appropriate diagnostic testing, while monitoring effectiveness of treatment. This article reviews the emerging need and role of focused CV care to address sex-specific aspects of diagnosis and treatment of CVD in women.

Preeclampsia and Vascular Function: A Window to Future Cardiovascular Disease Risk

Preeclampsia affects ∼3%-7% of all pregnancies and is the third leading cause of maternal mortality globally. Growing evidence indicates that preeclampsia results from vascular dysfunction, which also increases the risk for future cardiovascular events. Until recently, preeclampsia was considered a disorder limited to pregnancy, which fully resolved with the delivery of the placenta; however, it is now clear that women with a history of preeclampsia have approximately double the risk of future cardiovascular events compared to women with normotensive pregnancies. The aims of this review were to describe the hemodynamic and vascular changes that occur in normal and preeclamptic pregnancies, to review noninvasive methods to test vascular function, and to discuss the associated increased cardiovascular disease risk related to preeclampsia.

Plasma markers of endothelial dysfunction in patients with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: a pilot study in a South Indian population

OBJECTIVES

To assess the plasma markers of endothelial dysfunction: VonWillebrand factor (vWF), Platelet derived microparticles (PMPs), and Endothelin-1 (ET-1) in various types of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and correlate with the pregnancy outcome.

METHODS

Plasma levels of vWF, PMPs and ET-1 were analyzed by ELISA kits in gestational hypertension (GH), late onset preeclampsia (LOPE), early onset preeclampsia (EOPE), eclampsia (E) and control pregnant women (CPW) during third trimester. The gestational age at the time of delivery (GA) and birthweight (BW) of the baby also were measured.

RESULTS

The GA and the BW of the baby were found to be significantly lower in EOPE and eclampsia compared to CPW, GH and LOPE. The circulating levels of markers of endothelial dysfunction: vWF, PMPs and ET-1 were significantly higher in EOPE and Eclampsia compared to CPW, GH. Also a negative correlation was observed between vWF levels with pregnancy outcome; GA and BW.

CONCLUSIONS

A generalized endothelial dysfunction and poor birth outcomes were observed in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. There is a spectrum of biochemical derangements related to endothelial dysfunction in GH, EOPE, LOPE and E in that order.