PRE-ECLAMPSIA, a pregnancy-induced hypertensive disorder that affects 4–5% of pregnancies worldwide, is associated with an increased risk of arrhythmias in primiparous females, according to research by Eva Havers-Borgersen, Department of Cardiology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark, and colleagues.
The research team used the Danish nationwide registries to identify 523,271 primiparous females (with a median age of 28 years) who gave birth in Denmark between 1997–2016, and who do not have a history of arrhythmias or cardiac implantable devices. Out of this cohort, 23,367 (4.5%) were diagnosed with pre-eclampsia. A median of 10.1 years after pregnancy, patients with pre-eclampsia had an increased risk of arrhythmias (adjusted hazard ratio [HR]: 1.37; 95% CI: 1.23–1.54). The increased risk was driven largely by an increased risk of supraventricular tachyarrhythmias and extrasystoles (HR: 1.34; 95% CI, 1.19–1.51). Additionally, in primiparous patients with pre-eclampsia there was an increased risk of cardiac arrest, ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation, or implantable cardioverter defibrillator implantation (HR: 1.64; 95% CI: 1.14–2.24), as well as supraventricular tachyarrhythmias and extrasystoles (HR: 1.34; 95% CI, 1.19–1.51). The mortality risk in this patient population was also higher compared to primiparous females without pre-eclampsia (20-year cumulative incidence: 1.4% versus 1.2%; HR: 1.33; 95% CI: 1.1–1.6).
The results show that patients with preeclampsia during their first pregnancy are at a heightened risk of developing arrhythmias, with long-term risks investigated over 10 years. This indicates that these women may benefit from comprehensive cardiovascular risk assessments, regular screenings, and preventive education. By identifying future cardiovascular risks early, healthcare providers can implement prophylactic measures and interventions, potentially improving long-term health outcomes. Thus, proactive cardiovascular care for this group is crucial in preventing future complications.
Reference
Havers-Borgersen E et al. Pre-eclampsia and long-term risk of arrhythmias. Eur J Prev Cardiol. 2024; DOI: 10.1093/eurjpc/zwae176. [Epub ahead of print].
