Previous pre-eclampsia tied to early coronary atherosclerosis

Coronary atherosclerosis is slightly more prevalent among younger women with previous pre-eclampsia than age- and parity-matched counterparts from the general population, reveals a recent study. After adjustment for traditional cardiovascular risk factors, pre-eclampsia remains an independent risk factor.

In this study, the researchers matched 708 women aged 40‒55 years with previous pre-eclampsia were matched 1:1 on age and parity with 709 controls from the general population.

Participants completed an extensive questionnaire, a clinical examination, and a coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA). The prevalence of any coronary atherosclerosis on coronary CTA or a calcium score >0 in case of a nondiagnostic coronary CTA was the primary outcome.

Women with a history of pre-eclampsia, compared with controls, had a higher likelihood of developing hypertension (284 [40.1 percent] vs 162 [22.8 percent]; p<0.001), dyslipidaemia (338 [47.7 percent vs 296 [41.7 percent]; p=0.023), diabetes mellitus (24 [3.4 percent vs 8 [1.1 percent]; p=0.004), and have high body mass index (27.3 vs 25.0 kg/m²; p<0.001).

All women underwent cardiac computed tomography. The pre-eclampsia group had a higher prevalence of any coronary atherosclerosis (193 [27.4 percent] vs 141 [20.0 percent]; p=0.001; odds ratio, 1.41, 95 percent confidence interval, 1.08‒1.85; p=0.012) after adjusting for age, dyslipidaemia, diabetes mellitus, smoking, menopause, parity, and body mass index.

“Women with previous pre-eclampsia have an increased risk of coronary artery disease later in life,” the researchers said.