Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 1, 2026
Modeling Encephalopathy of Prematurity Using Prenatal Hypoxia-ischemia with Intra-amniotic Lipopolysaccharide in Rats
Published on: November 20, 2015
Early gestational age at preeclampsia onset is associated with subclinical atherosclerosis 12 years after delivery
Martin Christensen1,2, Camilla Skovhus Kronborg3, Rasmus Kirkeskov Carlsen4
1Clinical Research Unit, Randers Regional Hospital, Randers, Denmark.
Insights
Early preeclampsia onset is linked to higher cardiovascular disease risk markers 12 years later. This finding may guide future cardiovascular disease prevention strategies for affected women.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Women with preeclampsia face elevated long-term cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.
- The impact of early gestational age at preeclampsia onset on future CVD risk remains unclear.
- This study investigates the association between preeclampsia timing and subclinical atherosclerosis/arterial stiffness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if early gestational age at preeclampsia onset correlates with increased subclinical atherosclerosis and arterial stiffness.
- To compare cardiovascular risk markers between women with early-onset preeclampsia, late-onset preeclampsia, and normotensive pregnancies.
- To assess the long-term cardiovascular implications of preeclampsia based on gestational age at onset.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from two Danish registries to identify eligible participants.
- Measured outcomes including carotid plaque presence, carotid intima-media thickness, aortic pulse wave velocity, and augmentation index.
- Included 72 women, matched for age and time since delivery, across early-onset preeclampsia, late-onset preeclampsia, and normotensive groups.
Main Results:
- The early-onset preeclampsia group exhibited higher levels in most cardiovascular outcome measures compared to other groups.
- Significant differences were observed between early-onset and late-onset groups for carotid plaque, intima-media thickness, and augmentation index.
- Gestational age at preeclampsia onset, as a continuous variable, showed a significant association with carotid plaque presence and intima-media thickness.
Conclusions:
- Gestational age at preeclampsia onset is inversely associated with subclinical atherosclerosis markers 12 years post-delivery.
- Earlier preeclampsia onset indicates a higher risk for developing atherosclerosis.
- This association may aid in tailoring cardiovascular disease prevention strategies for women with a history of preeclampsia.
Introduction:
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.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:20Pathophysiology of Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, with environmental factors potentially triggering this process in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite many not having a family history, certain genes increase susceptibility,...
01:30Peripheral Artery Disease I: Introduction
01:30Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction
01:27Atherosclerosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Tests
01:30Atherosclerosis I: Introduction
01:21Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation