Key result
Women with previous superimposed preeclampsia or chronic hypertension had higher office systolic blood pressure (133.6 vs 114.6 mmHg) and pulse wave velocity (8.1 vs 6.8 m/s) than normal pregnancies.
Why the study?
To assess the long-term functional and structural repercussions of the heart and vessels in women with a history of severe preeclampsia.
Does a history of severe preeclampsia increase long-term cardiovascular structural and functional abnormalities in women 2-5 years postpregnancy?
Cross-Sectional (n=120)
No
Does a history of severe preeclampsia increase long-term cardiovascular structural and functional abnormalities in women 2-5 years postpregnancy?
Women with a history of severe preeclampsia, particularly those with superimposed preeclampsia or chronic hypertension, exhibit significant adverse cardiovascular structural and functional changes 2-5 years postpregnancy.
May warrant targeted vascular monitoring in women with prior superimposed PE; hypothesis-generating and requires prospective validation.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the long-term functional and structural repercussions of the heart and vessels in women with a history of severe preeclampsia (PE). METHODS: A cross-sectional study conducted at a tertiary hospital involving women 2-5 years postpregnancy, divided into three groups: isolated preeclampsia (de novo PE = 30), superimposed PE and/or chronic hypertension (PEs/HC= 60), and normal gestation (NG = 30). We evaluated age, body mass index (BMI), office systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), noninvasive central blood pressure (CBP) by tonometry (sphygmocor), pulse wave velocity (PWV - complior), and echocardiography (ViviDI-GE). RESULTS: Age (38 ± 5 years) and BMI (32.6 ± 6 k/m 2 ) were higher in PEs/HC. Office SBP (mmHg) was higher in de novo PE (124.8 ± 11) and PEs/HC (133.6 ± 19) than NG (114.6 ± 9), and DBP (mmHg) was higher in PEs/HC (87.8 ± 12) than NG (73.3 ± 8) and de novo PE (80.4 ± 12). ABPM showed higher SBP in all periods for PEs/HC than NG and de novo PE. Central SBP was higher in PEs/HC and De novo PE compared to NG and De novo PE. Carotid-femoral PWV (m/s) was higher in PEs/HC (8.1 ± 2) than NG (6.8 ± 1) and de novo PE (7.0 ± 1). Echocardiography revealed increased septal thickness and left atrial diameter in PEs/HC, with a higher left ventricular (LV) mass index in de novo PE and PEs/HC than NG. CONCLUSION: Women with previous de novo PE have higher office and central blood pressure values and greater ventricular mass compared to those with previous normal pregnancies. The most significant cardiovascular repercussions were observed in women with previous superimposed PE or chronic hypertension during pregnancy.
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Verardino et al. (2025) conducted a cross-sectional in Severe preeclampsia (n=120). History of severe preeclampsia or chronic hypertension vs. Normal gestation was evaluated on Cardiovascular repercussions (blood pressure, pulse wave velocity, echocardiography parameters). Women with previous superimposed preeclampsia or chronic hypertension had higher office systolic blood pressure (133.6 vs 114.6 mmHg) and pulse wave velocity (8.1 vs 6.8 m/s) than normal pregnancies.
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