Haemostatic, endothelial and lipoprotein parameters and blood pressure levels in women with a history of preeclampsia

To determine whether perturbations of haemostatic function and lipoprotein metabolism prevail long after preeclampsia and increase the risk of future coronary heart disease (CHD), we conducted a follow-up study in women with (cases, n = 25) or without (controls, n = 24) a history of preeclampsia. Bl ood samples were taken in the follicular and in the luteal phases of a mens trual cycle. Levels of blood pressure (BP) acid proteinuria measured during the index pregnancy were included in the evaluation. Compared to control w omen who had undergone a normal pregnancy, the formerly preeclamptic patien ts had higher systolic (p <0.01) and diastolic (p <0.05) BPs and increased plasma levels of von Willebrand factor (vWF), fibrinogen, cholesterol, trig lycerides and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) (all p <0.05). The lipid, vWF, and fibrinogen levels were positively related to the degree of BP ele vation but not to the degree of proteinuria during the index pregnancy. Exc ept for the increase in VWF level, all biochemical perturbations were only present in the luteal but not in the follicular phase samples. In conclusio n, persistent endothelial dysfunction with ensuing dysregulation of blood p ressure, haemostatic perturbation and dyslipoproteinemia after preeclampsia may indicate a proneness to future CHD.