Electrocardiographic parameters in women ten years post-early preeclampsia.

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.