Decreased arterial elasticity in formerly early-onset preeclamptic women.

Objective: Preeclampsia is associated with cardiovascular atherosclerotic events later in life. Impaired arterial elasticity is considered to be a marker of vascular (endothelial) dysfunction and to be involved in the atherosclerotic process. We investigated whether previously preeclamptic women have lower arterial elasticity indices in comparison with controls.

Design: Case-control study.

Setting: University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands.

Sample: 14 non-pregnant women with a history of early-onset preeclampsia (cases) and 16 non-pregnant women (controls) with an uncomplicated pregnancy in 2003-2004.

Methods: Measurement of radial artery elasticity indices combined with the brachial blood pressure using pulse wave contour analysis. The assessment of traditional risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) including body mass index, serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), serum insulin and plasma homocysteine.

Mean Outcome Measures: Arterial elasticity indices and traditional risk factors for CVD in cases and controls.

Results: Arterial elasticity was impaired in cases as compared with controls. Body mass index, blood pressure, pulse pressure, hsCRP and triglycerides were significantly higher in cases.

Conclusion: Arterial elasticity indices are reduced in formerly preeclamptic women, indicating vascular dysfunction. This and the more established risk factors for CVD are likely to contribute to a higher risk of CVD in women with a history of early-onset preeclampsia.