Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 27, 2025
Author Spotlight: Modeling an Aspect of Preeclampsia in Female Mice Using Hypoxic Human Placenta-Derived Small Extracellular Vesicles
Published on: January 26, 2024
Circulating cardiovascular biomarkers during and after preeclampsia: Crosstalk with placental function?
Daniel P Jacobsen1, Ragnhild Røysland2, Heidi Strand3
1Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Oslo University Hospital, Norway.
Insights
Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, like preeclampsia, increase cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in women. Biomarkers such as growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) may help identify high-risk postpartum individuals for CVD prevention.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Reproductive Health
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death in women, with sex-specific risk factors understudied.
- Preeclampsia and other adverse pregnancy outcomes are linked to increased maternal cardiovascular risk.
- Understanding these links requires investigating cardiovascular biomarkers during and after pregnancy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess cardiac troponin T (cTnT), N-terminal pro-Brain Natriuretic Peptide (NT-proBNP), and growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) in pregnancies with hypertensive disorders.
- To correlate these biomarkers with placental dysfunction markers.
- To evaluate biomarker levels postpartum (1-3 years after delivery).
Main Methods:
- Serum samples collected from 417 pregnant women (55 early-onset preeclampsia, 63 late-onset preeclampsia, 30 gestational hypertension, 269 controls).
- Postpartum samples analyzed from 341 women (1-3 years after delivery).
- Assessed concentrations of cTnT, NT-proBNP, and GDF-15, correlating with placental dysfunction markers.
Main Results:
- Elevated cTnT and NT-proBNP pre-delivery in women with early-onset preeclampsia (EO-PE), late-onset preeclampsia (LO-PE), or gestational hypertension (GH) compared to controls.
- Higher GDF-15 levels pre-delivery in EO-PE and LO-PE.
- Elevated postpartum GDF-15 in women with a history of EO-PE.
- Placental dysfunction markers correlated with CVD biomarkers during pregnancy, but not postpartum.
Conclusions:
- Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy contribute significantly to cardiovascular burden.
- Crosstalk exists between placental function and cardiovascular biomarkers.
- Elevated GDF-15 post-EO-PE suggests potential for targeted CVD prevention in high-risk postpartum women.
Abstract:
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in women, yet sex-specific risk factors remain understudied. Preeclampsia and other adverse pregnancy outcomes imply an increased maternal cardiovascular risk. We hypothesized that cardiac troponin T (cTnT), N-terminal pro-Brain Natriuretic Peptide (NT-proBNP) and growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) are increased in such pregnancies and correlate with markers of placental dysfunction. We also investigated these cardiovascular biomarkers 1 or 3 years postpartum. Prior to delivery, we included serum from 417 pregnant women: 55 early-onset preeclampsia (EO-PE), 63 late-onset preeclampsia (LO-PE), 30 gestational hypertension (GH) and 269 healthy controls. Postpartum, we included 341 women 1 or 3 years after delivery: 26 EO-PE, 107 LO-PE, 61 GH, and 147 healthy pregnancies. Prior to delivery, median cTnT and NT-proBNP concentrations were higher in women with EO-PE, LO-PE, or GH than in controls. Median GDF-15 was higher in EO-PE and LO-PE compared to controls. Postpartum, GDF-15 was elevated in women with previous EO-PE. Markers of placental dysfunction correlated with CVD biomarkers in pregnancy, but not postpartum. Our findings underscore the cardiovascular burden of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and the crosstalk with placental function. The upregulation of circulating GDF-15 following early-onset preeclampsia is in line with the epidemiological excessive risk of premature CVD in this group of women. GDF-15 may be explored for targeting postpartum women with most to gain from intensified preventive follow-up for CVD.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...
01:20Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System I: Cardiac Biomarkers
The essential diagnostic tools for detecting myocardial necrosis and monitoring individuals suspected of having acute coronary syndrome (ACS) include:
Troponins
Troponins, particularly cardiac troponins I and T, are the most precise and sensitive markers of myocardial injury. They are detectable within 4-6 hours of myocardial injury and remain...
01:14Fetal Circulation
Two umbilical arteries transport blood from the fetus to the placenta. At the placenta, the blood absorbs oxygen and nutrients while simultaneously eliminating waste products. This oxygen-enriched and nutrient-rich blood then returns to the fetus through one...
01:33Hormonal Regulation