Follow up of intima-media thickness after severe early-onset preeclampsia

Abstract

Objective: Early-onset preeclampsia is associated with premature cardiovascular disease. We previously demonstrated that femoral intima-media thickness (IMT) and markers of cardiovascular disease were increased in women 1 year after early-onset preeclampsia. The current study measured (progression of) IMT, cardiovascular disease risk factors and markers of endothelial cell dysfunction 4-5 years postpartum in the same women.

Study design: Case-control study.

Population: Formerly preeclamptic women.

Methods: IMT of carotid and femoral arteries was measured by ultrasound, as a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis. Various conventional cardiovascular risk factors were determined, as well as serum markers of endothelial cell activation and inflammation. Values were compared with those 1 year after the first (preeclamptic) pregnancy.

Main outcome measures imt results: We included 17 formerly preeclamptic women (cases) and 16 controls. Mean interval between index delivery and day of investigation was 4.7 years for the cases and 4.3 years for the controls. Neither differences nor progression of IMT was observed between the cases and the controls. Increased blood pressure, body mass index, serum triglycerides and inflammatory markers were found in the cases compared with the controls.

Conclusion: IMT was not increased in women with an almost 5-year history of severe preeclampsia as an indicator of increased cardiovascular risk. This study suggests a transient adaptive response of the arteries in formerly preeclamptic women. The persistence of cardiovascular risk factors in this group emphasizes the need for long-term follow-up.

Keywords: Preeclampsia; cardiovascular disease risk factors; follow up; intima-media thickness; markers of endothelial cell dysfunction.