Preeclampsia and Fetal Growth Restriction as Risk Factors of Future Maternal Cardiovascular Disease-A Review

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Obstetrics
• Reproductive Health

Background:

• Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the primary cause of death in women globally.
• Pregnancy-associated complications represent additional risk factors for developing CVD later in life.
• Adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction (FGR), share pathophysiologic pathways with CVD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the association between adverse pregnancy outcomes and future CVD risk.
• To emphasize the significance of a woman's pregnancy history in CVD risk assessment.
• To highlight the role of maternal cardiovascular maladaptation in pregnancy complications like FGR.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies investigating pregnancy outcomes and subsequent CVD.
• Analysis of shared pathophysiologic mechanisms between pregnancy complications and CVD.
• Synthesis of current evidence on maternal cardiovascular adaptation during pregnancy.

Main Results:

• Specific adverse pregnancy outcomes are demonstrably linked to an increased risk of future CVD.
• Shared pathways include placental dysfunction, maternal cardiovascular maladaptation, inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction.
• Maternal cardiovascular maladaptation is implicated in the development of FGR and preeclampsia.

Conclusions:

• Pregnancy history is a critical, yet often overlooked, factor in assessing a woman's lifetime CVD risk.
• Early identification of women with adverse pregnancy outcomes can inform targeted CVD prevention strategies.
• Further research into the shared mechanisms can lead to novel therapeutic targets for both pregnancy complications and CVD.