Recognizing Cardiovascular Risk After Preeclampsia: The P4 Study

LifeAPP: self-monitoring of blood pressure after preterm preeclampsia: a randomized controlled feasibility trial

OBJECTIVE

This was a pilot study to investigate the feasibility of developing a low-cost mobile technology-based intervention to encourage blood pressure (BP) monitoring and adoption of healthy lifestyle habits.

METHODS

This was a prospective, controlled, randomized, non-blinding feasibility study that involved the use of electronic BP monitor and smartphone. Eligible participants in the intervention group were instructed to send the BP measurements to members of the LifeAPP team digitally from an application for smartphones linked to the BP device by Bluetooth and also via WhatsApp. The LifeAPP team sent feedback containing information as follows: a) safety of the BP levels; b) motivational messages aiming at maintaining self-monitoring; c) motivational messages aiming at the importance of developing healthy lifestyle habits. The primary outcome was feasibility: recruitment capacity, retention, and compliance with follow-up rates.

RESULTS

Between 1 June 2020 and 24 January 2021, 48 participants were randomized to the intervention group, and 48 participants were randomized to the control group. The recruitment capacity of the participating centers proved to be adequate. Among the participants recruited for intervention group, 21 (43.7%) attended predefined visits at 3 months and only 12 (25%) attended predefined visits at 6 months. Similar loss to follow-up was observed in the control group.

CONCLUSION

Despite successful recruitment of a cohort of women following preterm preeclampsia, there was no sufficient retention of participants. Therefore, new strategies for long-term follow-up of women who developed preeclampsia are needed before a further study in this group of patients can be contemplated.

Metabolic outcomes in women 6 months and 2 years after preeclampsia versus normotensive pregnancy: A P4 study

Preeclampsia is associated with an increased risk of long-term cardiometabolic disease; however, little is known regarding metabolic factors in the early postpartum years potentially contributing to these health disparities. This study aimed to compare body composition, serum biochemical parameters, energy balance and diet 6 months and 2 years after normotensive pregnancy versus preeclampsia. This is the longitudinal metabolic sub-study of the Postpartum Physiology, Psychology and Paediatric cohort study. Women were assessed 6 months and 2 years after normotensive pregnancy (n = 118) and preeclampsia (n = 47). Metabolic measures included anthropometry, body composition via bioelectrical impedance analysis, serum biochemical parameters, diet via a food recall diary, and 24-h energy expenditure using SenseWear Armbands. Two years postpartum, women after preeclampsia continued to have significantly higher weight (median 67.1 kg vs. 63.1 kg, p = .04) compared to normotensive pregnancies, in addition to higher LDL cholesterol levels (2.7 ± 0.8 mmol/L vs. 2.4 ± 0.6 mmol/L, p = .03). These women were also more likely to have an elevated HOMA-IR score ≥2.08 (44% vs. 19%, p = .01). For all women in our study, waist-to-hip ratio, percent fat mass and activity-associated energy expenditure improved overtime. However, HDL cholesterol levels deteriorated, and excess saturated fat and sodium intake persisted from 6 months postpartum. Therefore, two years after preeclampsia, women remain at greater metabolic risk than their normotensive counterparts, with greater weight, LDL cholesterol and markers of insulin resistance, potentially contributing to long-term cardiovascular morbidity and requiring early intervention.

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 24-Hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring in Pregnancy and Postpartum Periods

PURPOSE

Early detection and management of hypertensive disorders during pregnancy and postpartum are essential. This systematic review and meta analysis aimed: (1) to examine the state of 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) use, and (2) in a subset of studies, evaluate 24-hour ABP parameters in the prediction and identification of Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy (HDP).

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was conducted in March of 2022 for English language studies published after 2000. In a subset of studies in this review, we conducted a meta analysis summarizing 24-hour, day, and night standardized mean difference (hedge's g) in systolic and diastolic blood pressure during pregnancy for individuals later diagnosed with HDP and those without.

RESULTS

A total of 69 articles met all established criteria and were included in this systematic review, and a subgroup of studies that reported HDP outcomes (n=14) were included in the meta analysis. Out of the 69 studies, 31 (45.61%) used 24-hour ABP devices that are not validated for pregnant individuals. Birthing individuals diagnosed with HDP had elevated 24-hour, day, and night systolic and diastolic blood pressure during second and third trimesters of pregnancy.

CONCLUSION

A noticeable gap exists in the utilization of validated 24-hour ABP devices for pregnant and postpartum populations. Variations exist regarding the timing of 24-hour ABP measurements, particularly across trimesters.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

24-hour ABP monitoring could serve as one of the tools to identify and manage pregnant individuals at risk of HDP and ultimately reverse the current trend in maternal mortality.

Preeclampsia-Associated Cardiovascular Risk Factors 6 Months and 2 Years After Pregnancy: The P4 Study

BACKGROUND

Increased cardiovascular risk following preeclampsia is well established and there are signs of early cardiovascular aging 6 months postpartum. This study assessed whether blood pressure (BP) and other cardiovascular measures are abnormal 2 years postpartum in the same cohort to determine ongoing risk markers.

METHODS

Six months and 2 years postpartum, BP was measured using sphygmomanometry, 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring, and noninvasive central BP. Anthropometric measures, blood, and urine biochemistry were performed. Cross-sectional comparisons between preeclampsia and normotensive pregnancy (NP) groups and longitudinal comparisons within each group were made at 6 months and 2 years.

RESULTS

Two years postpartum, 129 NP, and 52 preeclampsia women were studied who also had 6 months measures. At both time points, preeclampsia group had significantly higher BP (office BP 2 years, 112±12/72±8 versus 104±9/67±7 mm Hg NP; [P<0.001]; mean ambulatory BP monitoring 116±9/73±8 versus 106±8/67±6 mm Hg NP; [P<0.001]). No significant BP changes noted 6 months to 2 years within either group. Office BP thresholds of 140 mm Hg systolic and 90 mm Hg diastolic classified 2% preeclampsia and 0% NP at 2 years. American Heart Association 2017 criteria (above normal, >120/80 mm Hg) classified 25% versus 8% (P<0.002), as did our reference range threshold of 122/79 mm Hg. American Heart Association criteria classified 60% post-preeclampsia versus 16% after NP with above-normal ambulatory BP monitoring (P<0.001). Other cardiovascular risk markers more common 2 years post-preeclampsia included higher body mass index (median 26.6 versus 23.1, P=0.003) and insulin resistance.

CONCLUSIONS

After preeclampsia, women have significantly higher BP 6 months and 2 years postpartum, and have higher body mass index and insulin-resistance scores, increasing their future cardiovascular risk. Regular cardiovascular risk screening should be implemented for all who have experienced preeclampsia.

Prevalence of persistent hypertension following pregnancy complicated by hypertensive disorders in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review

Background

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy can lead to persistent hypertension (pHTN) in the months and even years following delivery. However, its prevalence in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is not well characterized.

Objective

To synthesize available evidence on the pHTN prevalence following a pregnancy complicated by hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in LMICs.

Search strategy

PubMed, CINAHL Plus, Global Health (EBSCOhost), and Scopus from inception through a search date of July 12, 2022, and updated on January 2, 2024.

Selection criteria

Cross-sectional studies and cohort studies reporting pHTN prevalence were eligible.

Data collection and analysis

We conducted a narrative synthesis of data and categorized reported prevalence time points into several broader categories. We used the Newcastle-Ottawa checklist to assess the risk of bias. The protocol is registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022345739).

Results

We reviewed 1,584 abstracts and identified 22 studies that reported pHTN between 2000 and 2023 from 14 LMICs. The overall prevalence of pHTN ranged between 6.9% and 62.2%, with the highest prevalence noted within African studies and the lowest in South American studies. Estimates at different follow-up periods postpartum were 6.9%-42.9% at six weeks, 34.0%-62.2% at three months, 14.8%-62.2% at six months, 12.7%-61.2% at 12 months, and 7.5%-31.8% at more than 12 months. The quality score of the selected studies ranged from 50% to 100%.

Conclusions

The extant literature reports a high prevalence of pHTN in LMICs following a pregnancy complicated by hypertensive disorders. To reduce long-term complications of pHTN, programs should emphasize early screening and linkages to long-term care for at-risk women.

Systematic Review Registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=345739, PROSPERO (CRD42022345739).

Understanding Patient Perspectives on Specialized, Longitudinal, Postpartum, Cardiovascular Risk-Reduction Clinics

Background

Females who experience hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) have an increased lifelong risk of cardiovascular disease. Thus, Canadian clinical practice guidelines recommend cardiovascular risk reduction follow-up after a patient has HDP. This study examined the experiences of patients with HDP who attended a specialized, longitudinal general internal medicine postpartum cardiovascular risk reduction clinic called PreVASC. PreVASC focuses on comprehensive cardiovascular risk reduction through cardiovascular risk factor screening and management tailored specifically for female patients after they have HDP.

Methods

This multimethod study examined the experiences of female patients with HDP via the following: (i) a quantitative survey (summarized with descriptive statistics); (ii) semistructured qualitative patient phone interviews (results grouped thematically); and (iii) triangulation of qualitative themes with quantitative survey results.

Results

Overall, 37% of eligible clinic patients (42 of 115) participated; 79% of participants (n = 33) reported being "very satisfied" with the PreVASC clinic's specialized longitudinal model of care, and 95% (n = 40) reported making at least one preventive health behaviour change after receiving individualized counselling on cardiovascular risk reduction. Qualitative results found improvements in patient-reported cardiovascular health knowledge, health behaviours, and health-related anxiety. A preference for in-person vs phone clinic visits was reported by participants.

Conclusions

An in-person, general internal medicine specialist-led, longitudinal model of cardiovascular disease preventive care focused specifically on cardiovascular risk reduction after HDP had positive impacts on patient experience, health knowledge, and preventive health behaviours. This novel knowledge on patient preferences for a longitudinal, specialized model of care advances cardiovascular risk reduction tailored specifically for high-risk people after HDP.

Childhood growth outcomes 2 years after hypertensive versus normotensive pregnancy: a P4 study

BACKGROUND

Intrauterine exposure to hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, including gestational hypertension (GH) and preeclampsia (PE), may influence infant growth and have long-term health implications. This study aimed to compare growth outcomes of infants exposed to a normotensive pregnancy (NTP), GH, or PE from birth to 2 years.

METHODS

Infants were children of women enroled in the prospective Postpartum Physiology, Psychology and Paediatric (P4) cohort study who had NTP, GH or PE. Birth, 6-month (age-corrected) and 2-year (age-corrected) weight z-scores, change in weight z-scores, rapid weight gain (≥0.67 increase in weight z-score) and conditional weight gain z-scores were calculated to assess infant growth (NTP = 240, GH = 19, PE = 66).

RESULTS

Infants exposed to PE compared to NTP or GH had significantly lower birth weight and length z-scores, but there were no differences in growth outcomes at 6 months or 2 years. GH and PE-exposed infants had significantly greater weight z-score gain [95% CI] (PE = 0.93 [0.66-1.18], GH = 1.03 [0.37-1.68], NTP = 0.45 [0.31-0.58], p < 0.01) and rapid weight gain (GH = 63%, PE = 59%, NTP = 42%, p = 0.02) from birth to 2 years, which remained significant for PE-exposed infants after confounder adjustment.

CONCLUSION

In this cohort, GH and PE were associated with accelerated infant weight gain that may increase future cardiometabolic disease risk.

IMPACT

Preeclampsia exposed infants were smaller at birth, compared with normotensive pregnancy and gestational hypertension exposed infants, but caught up in growth by 2 years of age. Both preeclampsia and gestational hypertension exposed infants had significantly accelerated weight gain from birth to 2 years, which remained significant for preeclampsia exposed infants after adjustment for confounders including small for gestational age. Monitoring of growth patterns in infants born following exposure to a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy may be indicated to prevent accelerated weight gain trajectories and obesity.

Long-Term Impacts of Preeclampsia on the Cardiovascular System of Mother and Offspring

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific complication that is associated with an increased postpartum risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in both women and their offspring, although the underlying mechanisms have yet to be fully elucidated. Nevertheless, differential methylation of cytosine-phosphate-guanosine islands and alterations in the expression of microRNA, associated with an elevated risk of CVD, have been observed in women and their children following preeclampsia. Among this specific population, genetic and epigenetic factors play crucial roles in the development of CVD in later life. A series of biomolecules involved in inflammation, oxidative stress, and angiogenesis may link pregnancy vascular bed disorders in preeclampsia to the pathogenesis of future CVD and thus could be valuable for the prediction and intervention of long-term CVD in women with a history of preeclampsia and their offspring. Here, we present insights into the cardiovascular structure and functional changes of women with a history of preeclampsia and their offspring. With a focus on various underlying mechanisms, the conclusions from this review are expected to provide more potential diagnostics and treatment strategies for clinical practice.

Effectiveness of a nurse practitioner-led cardiovascular prevention clinic at reduction of metabolic syndrome following maternal complications of pregnancy: a preliminary analysis

AIM

Maternal complications of pregnancy, including hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, gestational diabetes mellitus, intrauterine growth restriction, preterm labour, and placental abruption, are associated with increased risk of future cardiometabolic disease. Lifestyle interventions that focus on preventative strategies for this young, high-risk population of women may assist in cardiometabolic disease risk reduction. The aim of this preliminary registry analysis was to observe the change in maternal metabolic syndrome status after receiving a nurse practitioner-led lifestyle intervention delivered soon after a complicated pregnancy.

METHOD

This preliminary analysis included 64 eligible women who had attended both baseline (approximately 6 months postpartum) and review (approximately eighteen months postpartum) appointments at the postpartum lifestyle clinic after an index pregnancy complicated by at least one maternal complication of pregnancy. Metabolic syndrome status at both appointments was assessed.

RESULTS

At the baseline appointment, 22 (34.4%) women met the criteria for metabolic syndrome. This number reduced at the review appointment to 19 (29.7%). This difference was not statistically significant. There were some modest improvements in the individual cardiometabolic risk factors, as well as marked improvements in the women who had recovered from metabolic syndrome over twelve months.

CONCLUSION

There was a high percentage of metabolic syndrome present early in the postpartum period. The results of this preliminary analysis highlight the importance of continuing preventative care and ongoing research for this group of high-risk women.

Multivariate logistic regression analysis of preeclampsia in patients with pregnancy induced hypertension and the risk predictive value of monitoring platelet, coagulation function and thyroid hormone in pregnant women

OBJECTIVE

Multivariate logistic regression analysis of preeclampsia in patients with pregnancy induced hypertension and the risk predictive value of monitoring platelet, coagulation function and thyroid hormone in pregnant women.

METHODS

The data of 120 pregnant women who delivered their babies at Xinyu Maternal and Child Health Hospital from January 2019 to January 2022 were analyzed retrospectively. Among the subjects studied, 60 were patients with preeclampsia as a study group and 60 healthy pregnant women were assigned to a control group. The clinical data of pregnant women were recorded, including age, weight gain during pregnancy, nationality, education level, times of antenatal examinations, times of pregnancy and parturition, discovery of gestational weeks, multiple pregnancies, amniotic fluid volume, neonatal weight, history of in vitro fertilization combined with embryo transfer, history of diabetes, kidney disorders or preeclampsia, family background of high blood pressure, anemia and so on. The clinical test data, such as platelet count and volume, coagulation function and thyroid hormone, were collected in two groups of pregnant women. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed on preeclampsia. The predictive value of platelet, coagulation function and thyroid hormone on preeclampsia was explored.

RESULTS

We compared the general hematological parameters. Univariate Logistic analysis found that age, history of diabetes, nephropathy or preeclampsia, family background of elevated blood pressure, weight gain during pregnancy, frequency of pregnancy and multiple pregnancies were all risk factors for preeclampsia. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis screened out that age, history of diabetes, kidney disorders or preeclampsia, family background of hypertension were independent risk factors for preeclampsia. The white blood cell count and platelet count of the study group were lower than those of the control group. Moreover, observed patients displayed a larger average platelet volume (P<0.05). Significant differences were found in glutamic pyruvic transaminase, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase, albumin, serum creatinine and uric acid, as well as in thrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time between the two groups (P<0.05). In terms of thyroid function, obvious differences were found in serum thyrotropin and free thyroxine between the two groups (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Age, history of diabetes, kidney disorders or preeclampsia, family background of highly blood pressure are independent risk factors for preeclampsia. Platelet, coagulation function and thyroid hormone levels can have a certain risk predictive value.

A review of infant growth and psychomotor developmental outcomes after intrauterine exposure to preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy with serious health implications for mother and their offspring. The uteroplacental vascular insufficiency caused by preeclampsia is associated with epigenetic and pathological changes in the mother and fetus. However, the impact of preeclampsia in infancy (birth to 2 years), a time of rapid development influenced by pre- and postnatal factors that can predict future health outcomes, remains inconclusive. This narrative review of 23 epidemiological and basic science studies assessed the measurement and impact of preeclampsia exposure on infant growth and psychomotor developmental outcomes from birth to 2 years. Studies assessing infant growth report that preeclampsia-exposed infants have lower weight, length and BMI at 2 years than their normotensive controls, or that they instead experience accelerated weight gain to catch up in growth by 2 years, which may have long-term implications for their cardiometabolic health. In contrast, clear discrepancies remain as to whether preeclampsia exposure impairs infant motor and cognitive development, or instead has no impact. It is additionally unknown whether any impacts of preeclampsia are independent of confounders including shared genetic factors that predispose to both preeclampsia and childhood morbidity, perinatal factors including small for gestational age or preterm birth and their sequelae, and postnatal environmental factors such childhood nutrition. Further research is required to account for these variables in larger cohorts born at term, to help elucidate the independent pathophysiological impact of this clinically heterogenous and dangerous disease.

Postpartum ambulatory and home blood pressure monitoring in women with history of preeclampsia: Diagnostic agreement and detection of masked hypertension

Women with a history of preeclampsia (hxPE) are at a four-fold higher risk for chronic hypertension after pregnancy compared with healthy pregnancy, but 'masked' hypertension cases are missed by clinical assessment alone. Twenty-four hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) is the reference-standard for confirmation of hypertension diagnoses or detection of masked hypertension outside of clinical settings, whereas home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) may represent a well-tolerated and practical alternative to ABPM in the postpartum period. The objectives of this study were to 1) assess concordance between ABPM and HBPM postpartum in women with a hxPE compared with healthy pregnancy controls and 2) evaluate HBPM in the detection of masked postpartum hypertension. Young women with a hxPE (N = 26) and controls (N = 36) underwent in-office, 24-h ABPM and 7-day HBPM 1-4 years postpartum. Chronic hypertension was more prevalent among women with a hxPE by all three blood pressure measures, but the prevalence of masked postpartum hypertension did not differ (36% vs 37%, P = 0.97). HBPM showed excellent agreement with ABPM (systolic: r = 0.78, intraclass coefficient [ICC] = 0.83; diastolic: r = 0.82, ICC = 0.88) and moderate concordance in classification of hypertension (κ = 0.54, P < 0.001). HBPM identified 21% of masked postpartum hypertension cases without false-positive cases, and HBPM measures among those with normotensive in-office readings could detect ABPM-defined masked hypertension (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.88 ± 0.06, P < 0.0001). The findings of the present study indicate that HBPM may be a useful screening modality prior or complementary to ABPM in the detection and management of postpartum hypertension.

Depression, anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder six months following preeclampsia and normotensive pregnancy: a P4 study

Background

Mental health is an integral part of overall health. Mental health disorders following childbirth are common and poor maternal mental health has consequences for both the mother and her infant. Preeclampsia is also relatively common in pregnancy but there is little known about the intersection between these two important conditions. Gaining a better understanding of the psychological consequences following preeclampsia is important, especially the link with depression, anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder. If women who experience preeclampsia are recognised as being at increased risk of poor mental health, targeted screening in the postpartum period should be implemented.

Aims

To describe the prevalence and symptom severity of depression, anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder at six months postpartum in women, who had a diagnosis of preeclampsia, compared to those who had normal blood pressure in pregnancy.

Methods

The mental health component of the prospective cohort study, the Postpartum, Physiology, Psychology and Paediatric follow-up study (P4 Study) was used. Women diagnosed with preeclampsia (n = 90) and those who were normotensive during pregnancy (n = 302) completed the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, General Anxiety Disorder Scale, and the Posttraumatic Stress Diagnostic Scale or Posttraumatic Stress Diagnostic Sclae-5 at six months postpartum.

Results

At six months postpartum, depressive scores were similar in both groups but a higher proportion of women from the preeclampsia group scored above the threshold for depression (2% v 7% p = 0.04). There were no differences between the groups in the prevalence or severity of anxiety or PTSD. However, more women in the preeclampsia group reported their birth experience as a traumatic event (1% vs 7%, p = 0.01). On correlation testing and modelling, booking Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale score, any mental health history, experiencing birth as traumatic and the General Anxiety Disorder Scale score were independent predictors of postpartum Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale scores.

Conclusion

The postpartum clinical care of women with preeclampsia often focusses on the immediate physical health issues, but these women may also benefit from mental health screening. Targeted screening of preeclamptic women in the postpartum period may lead to more timely referral and initiation of treatment.

Trial registration

Retrospectively registered on 18/11/2013 with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry. Registration Number: ACTRN12613001260718.

The P4 Study: Postpartum Maternal and Infant Faecal Microbiome 6 Months After Hypertensive Versus Normotensive Pregnancy

Objective/Hypothesis

To explore potential differences in faecal microbiome between women, and their infants, who had normotensive pregnancies (NP) and those who had a hypertensive pregnancy (HP), either gestational hypertension (GH) or preeclampsia (PE).

Methods

This is a sub study of P4 (Postpartum Physiology, Psychology, and Paediatrics Study) and includes 18 mother-infant pairs: 10 NP and 8 HP (HP as defined by blood pressure > 140/90mmHg; of which 6 had PE, and 2 GH), six months postpartum. The participating mothers collected stool samples from themselves and their infants. 16S rRNA V3-V4 amplicons were used to study the faecal microbiome.

Results

The sample of women and their infants were mostly primiparous (n =16) with vaginal birth (n = 14). At the time of faecal sampling 8 women were using hormonal contraception, and one HP woman remained on an antihypertensive. All women had blood pressure < 130/80mmHg, and 10 had high BMI (> 30). All infants had started solids, 8 were exclusively breastfed, 1 exclusively formula fed and 9 both. Three infants had been exposed to a course of antibiotics. Six months postpartum, there were no significant differences in alpha or beta diversity between the gut microbiota of HP and NP women (P > 0.05). However, a statistically significant difference was detected in alpha diversity between infants following HP and NP, with lower diversity levels in HP infants (P < 0.05). It was also found that at a genus and species level, the gut microbiota of HP women was enriched with Bifidobacterium and Bifidobacterium sp. and depleted in Barnesiella and Barnesiella intestinihominis when compared to NP women (P < 0.05). Similarly, the gut microbiota of infants born from HP was enriched in Streptococcus infantis and depleted in Sutterella, Sutterella sp., Bacteroides sp. and Clostridium aldenense compared to infants born from NP (P < 0.05).

Discussion

While our findings are at best preliminary, due to the very small sample size, they do suggest that the presence of hypertension in pregnancy may adversely affect the maternal microbiota postpartum, and that of their infants. Further analysis of postpartum microbiome data from future studies will be important to validate these early findings and provide further evidence about the changes in the microbiota in the offspring of women following hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), including possible links to the causes of long-term cardiovascular disease, the prevalence of which is increased in women who have experienced HDP.

Focus on today's evidence while keeping an eye on the future: lessons derived from hypertension in women

While evidence-based medicine has contributed enormously to the uniformity and rationale of patient care, it is necessary that we anticipate changes in order to implement their rapid translation to practice. The purpose of this review is to expose three issues regarding cardiovascular health in women, including milestones to reflect the pace at which these are incorporated into public policies. Two of these matters, as changes in the thresholds of normal blood pressure in gestation and in nonpregnant women, need further evidence and deserve to be retrospectively analyzed in high-quality databases. The third subject derives from the association of remote cardiovascular complications of hypertensive pregnancies, an example of the unnecessary delay of more than two decades to install a wide prevention strategy when the health system is not on the watch.

The P4 study: Subsequent pregnancy maternal physiology after hypertensive and normotensive pregnancies

OBJECTIVES

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are associated with subsequent increased risk of cardiometabolic disease. Adverse cardiometabolic measures are noted soon after hypertensive versus normotensive pregnancy (NP); to what degree these persist into a subsequent pregnancy (SP) is unknown. This study aimed to assess women's physiology early in SP after hypertensive pregnancy (HP: preeclampsia or gestational hypertension) or NP and compare SP to 6 months postpartum findings from the index pregnancy.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective sub-study of the P4 (Postpartum, Physiology, Psychology and Paediatric) observational cohort. Measurements six months after NP versus HP, and the SP at 11-13 weeks gestation.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Blood pressure (BP), blood and urine tests (urine ACR, HOMA-IR, LDL cholesterol), body composition, and contribution of maternal characteristics and inter-pregnancy factors to BP and body fat (FM%) in SP.

RESULTS

49 women (34 NP, 15 HP). In the SP, post-HP women had higher BP (112/70 mmHg HP vs 102/64 mmHg NP; p < .001), with no significant drop from six months postpartum to early SP. On regression analysis, systolic and diastolic BP at 6-months were the major predictors for SP systolic (p < 0.001) and diastolic (p = 0.009) BP respectively in the SP. Longer interpregnancy interval and increased FM% 6-months postpartum were associated with higher SP FM% (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

BP and body fat six months postpartum were similar early in the SP for HP group, and postpartum BP and FM% were major predictors of their corresponding SP measurements. Postpartum/inter-pregnancy intervention programs to improve these cardiometabolic risk markers might help improve women's long-term health and require investigation.

Maternal cardiovascular dysfunction in women with early onset preeclampsia: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Cardiac remodeling and diastolic dysfunction may occur, in women with early-onset preeclampsia, following raised total vascular resistance in response to the impaired placentation. These changes can increase the risk of premature cardiac morbidity and mortality later in life. According to updated guidelines by the American and European Societies of Echocardiography (ASE/ESE) to diagnose diastolic dysfunction, using a simpler criterion is not yet used in pregnant women.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the maternal cardiovascular changes and the variation in the diastolic dysfunction using the 2009 and 2016 criteria by ASE/ESE among women with early onset preeclampsia and gestational age-matched normotensive controls.

METHODS

A prospective matched cross-sectional study conducted in a tertiary hospital in South India, involving 40 women with early and 40 women with gestational age-matched normotensive controls. Cardiac function and remodeling were assessed by conventional 2D, M-mode, and Doppler echocardiography.

RESULTS

Compared to the controls, women with early-onset preeclampsia had significantly higher. Total vascular resistance index (2867.6 vs. 2277.2 dynes/s/cm⁵/m², p = .035) and median end-systolic stress index (5.2 vs. 9.2 dyne/cm²/m²), suggesting a higher afterload. Cases had a significant rate of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction using the 2009 criteria (grade II/III: 21 (52%) vs. 0 (0%), p<.001) whereas the rates were much lower when the updated 2016 guidelines were used (grade II/III: 9 (22.5%) vs. 1 (2.5%), p<.001).

CONCLUSIONS

In women with early-onset preeclampsia, cardiovascular adaption occurs to minimize wall stress and myocardial oxygenation. The prevalence of diastolic dysfunction was observed to be lower with the 2016 criteria. Further studies involving pregnant women are required to assess the impact of newer guidelines on association with short- and long-term cardiovascular outcomes in high-risk women.

Growth from birth to 6 months of infants with and without intrauterine preeclampsia exposure

Intrauterine preeclampsia exposure affects the lifelong cardiometabolic health of the child. Our study aimed to compare the growth (from birth to 6 months) of infants exposed to either a normotensive pregnancy or preeclampsia and explore the influence of being born small for gestational age (SGA). Participants were children of women participating in the Post-partum, Physiology, Psychology and Paediatric follow-up cohort study. Birth and 6-month weight and length z-scores were calculated for term and preterm (<37 weeks) babies, and change in weight z-score, rapid weight gain (≥0.67 increase in weight z-score) and conditional weight gain z-score were calculated. Compared with normotensive exposed infants (n = 298), preeclampsia exposed infants (n = 84) were more likely to be born SGA (7% versus 23%; P < 0.001), but weight gain from birth to 6 months, by any measure, did not differ between groups. Infants born SGA, irrespective of pregnancy exposure, were more likely to have rapid weight gain and had greater increases in weight z-score compared with those not born SGA. Preeclampsia exposed infants born SGA may benefit from interventions designed to prevent future cardiometabolic disease.

Gingival Crevicular Placental Alkaline Phosphatase Is an Early Pregnancy Biomarker for Pre-Eclampsia

Early and innovative diagnostic strategies are required to predict the risk of developing pre-eclampsia (PE). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP) concentrations to correctly classify women at risk of PE. A prospectively collected, retrospectively stratified cohort study was conducted, with 412 pregnant women recruited at 11–14 weeks of gestation. Physical, obstetrical, and periodontal data were recorded. GCF and blood samples were collected for PLAP determination by ELISA assay. A multiple logistic regression classification model was developed, and the classification efficiency of the model was established. Within the study cohort, 4.3% of pregnancies developed PE. GCF-PLAP concentration was 3- to 6-fold higher than in plasma samples. GCF-PLAP concentrations and systolic blood pressure were greater in women who developed PE (p = 0.015 and p < 0.001, respectively). The performance of the multiparametric model that combines GCF-PLAP concentration and the levels of systolic blood pressure (at 11–14 weeks gestation) showed an association of systolic blood pressure and GCF-PLAP concentrations with the likelihood of developing PE (OR:1.07; 95% CI 1.01–1.11; p = 0.004 and OR:1.008, 95% CI 1.000–1.015; p = 0.034, respectively). The model had a sensitivity of 83%, a specificity of 72%, and positive and negative predictive values of 12% and 99%, respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUC-ROC) curve was 0.77 and correctly classified 72% of PE pregnancies. In conclusion, the multivariate classification model developed may be of utility as an aid in identifying pre-symptomatic women who subsequently develop PE.

The long-term cardiovascular impact of hypertension in pregnancy - A missed opportunity

Women who have had hypertension in pregnancy, both pre-eclampsia and gestational hypertension, have a two- to three-fold increased risk of cardiovascular disease later in life. It is unclear whether this is an unmasking of latent risk, the result of damage to the vascular tree during pregnancy, or both. Irrespective of the underlying pathophysiology, these women are uniquely identified sufficiently early in their lives for lifestyle interventions, if adopted, to improve their long-term health. Currently, follow-up of these women is inadequate and implementation of a coordinated follow-up program, and further research into how best to provide it, is urgently needed.

Recognizing Cardiovascular Risk After Preeclampsia: The P4 Study

Background

There is increased risk of hypertension, early cardiovascular disease, and premature mortality in women who have had preeclampsia. This study was undertaken to determine the upper limit of normal blood pressure (BP) 6 months postpartum and the frequency of women with prior preeclampsia who had BP above these limits, as part of the P4 (Post‐Partum Physiology, Psychology and Pediatric) follow‐up study.

Methods and Results

BP was measured by sphygmomanometer, 24‐hour ambulatory BP monitoring, and non‐invasive central BP at 6 months postpartum in 302 women who had normotensive pregnancy and 90 who had preeclampsia. The upper limit of normal BP (mean+2 SD) for women with normotensive pregnancy was 122/79 mm Hg for routine BP, 115/81 mm Hg for central BP, and 121/78 mm Hg for 24‐hour ambulatory BP monitoring. Traditional normal values detected only 3% of women who had preeclampsia as having high BP 6 months postpartum whereas these new values detected between 13% and 19%. Women with preeclampsia had greater body mass index (27.8 versus 25.0, P<0.001) and left ventricular wall thickness but similar augmentation index. They also had lower high‐density lipoprotein (59±15 versus 65±16 mg/dL, P=0.002), higher triglycerides (77±51 versus 61±35 mg/dL, P=0.005), and higher homeostatic model assessment score (2.1±1.8 versus 1.3±1.9, P<0.001).

Conclusions

Clinicians wishing to detect high BP in these women should be aware of the lower than usual upper limit of normal for this young cohort and where possible should use 24‐hour ambulatory BP monitoring to detect these changes. This may define a subgroup of women who had preeclampsia for whom targeted BP lowering therapy would be successful.

Registration

URL: https://anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=365295&isReview=true; Unique identifier: ACTRN12613001260718.