Cardiovascular Risks Associated With Pre-Eclampsia

Women with pre-eclampsia with severe features (PEC) are more at risk for several cardiovascular complications than healthy pregnant women, according to a study published recently in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Researchers conducted a prospective observational study in which they compared 63 women with PEC to a control group of 36 healthy pregnant women to evaluate echocardiographic, laboratory, and clinical changes in the women with PEC. Right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) was the primary observation, as well as systolic, diastolic, and speckle tracking parameters from echocardiographic images. 

Researchers found that the women with PEC had higher RVSP (31.0 ± 7.9 mm Hg vs. 22.5 ± 6.1 mm Hg), and lower global right ventricular longitudinal systolic strain (−19.6 ± 3.2% vs. −23.8 ± 2.9%) than the healthy control group. The PEC group also expressed a lower mitral septal e’ velocity (9.6 ± 2.4 cm/s vs. 11.6 ± 1.9 cm/s), higher septal E/e’ ratio (10.8 ± 2.8 vs. 7.4 ± 1.6), greater left atrial area size (20.1 ± 3.8 cm2 vs. 17.3 ± 2.9 cm2), and greater posterior and septal wall thicknesses (1.0 cm vs. 0.8 cm for both).  

From these results, the researchers concluded that women with PEC have higher RVSP, rates of abnormal diastolic function, left sided chamber remodeling, and rates of peripartum pulmonary edema, and lower global right ventricular longitudinal systolic strain than healthy pregnant women.  

Excited to see our work in press @HopkinsMedicine cross divisional collaboration at its best! Acute Cardiac Effects of Severe Pre-Eclampsia – @ACCinTouch @JACCJournals https://t.co/4RJ6oqJIYb pic.twitter.com/t66scyLvue

— Monica Mukherjee MD, MPH (@MMukherjeeMD) June 26, 2018

 Source: JACC