Electrocardiographic parameters in women ten years post-early preeclampsia

Abstract

Objective: Women with a history of preeclampsia are at increased risk to develop cardiovascular disease (CVD) later in life, especially hypertension is common. In this study we aimed to evaluate electrocardiographic parameters as a proxy for detrimental hypertensive effects and later CVD.

Methods: The Preeclampsia Risk EValuation study in FEMales (PREVFEM) study is a prospective cohort study consisting of 339 women with a history of early onset preeclampsia (EOP) and 332 age-matched women without a history if EOP as reference. At ten years post index pregnancy a 12-lead electrocardiogram recording was made.

Results: There were no significant differences in ECG parameters between both groups at 3 9years of age. In our cohort of young women SBP (OR(mmHg): 1.04; 95% CI: 1.2-1.06) as well as DBP (OR(mmHg): 1.04; 95% CI: 1.01-1.07) and stage 2 hypertension (OR: 3.35; 95% CI: 1.16-9.63) were significantly associated with ECG criteria for LVH, but not for other ECG abnormalities. EOP gives no significant adjusted risk on ECG abnormalities compared to women without EOP.

Conclusion: EOP is no significant predictor of non-specific ECG abnormalities. Routine ECG screening in young women after preeclampsia is not recommended in non-hypertensive women, but may be useful when hypertension is present.