Lipoprotein(a) concentrations in women with a history of severe preeclampsia - a case control study

A high concentration of lipoprotein(a) is associated with atherosclerotic d isease. Atheroma may develop in spiral arteries in both pre eclamptic and n ormal pregnancies, but they are much more common in preeclampsia, particula rly in the decidual segments. We hypothesized that a high concentration of lipoprotein(a) is associated with the development of preeclampsia. We studied 40 women with a history of severe preeclampsia, 35 women with a history of preeclampsia and the (H)ELLP syndrome and 67 controls with a nor mal obstetric history. Lipoprotein(a) levels were measured at least 10 week s post partum in the second half of a normal menstrual cycle. None of the w omen in the study or the control group were pregnant or used oral contracep tives. Lipoprotein(a) levels over the 90th percentile df the lipoprotein(a) distribution of our control group (420 mg/l) were defined as abnormal. The re was a statistically significant higher prevalence of abnormal levels of lipoprotein(a) in women with a history of seven preeclampsia (33%) in compa rison with women with a history of preeclampsia and (H)ELLP syndrome (9%) a nd with the control group (10%). We found that a history of severe preeclampsia and spontaneous abortion was associated with elevated lipoprotein(a) levels as a post-hoc finding Wheth er spontaneous abortion and high levels of lipoprotein(a) are related remai ns to be demonstrated.