Markers of endothelial activation and atherothrombosis in women with history of preeclampsia or gestational hypertension

Mark Vickers; Isobel Ford; Rona Morrison; Gordon Prescott; Stuart Watson; Philip Hannaford; Cairns Smith; Doris Campbell; Michael Greaves

doi:10.1160/TH03-01-0053

Thrombosis and Haemostasis, Table of Contents

Thromb Haemost 2003; 90(06): 1192-1197
DOI: 10.1160/TH03-01-0053

Vascular Development and Vessel Remodelling

Schattauer GmbH

Markers of endothelial activation and atherothrombosis in women with history of preeclampsia or gestational hypertension

Authors

Mark Vickers

¹Department of Medicine & Therapeutics, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland
Isobel Ford

¹Department of Medicine & Therapeutics, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland
Rona Morrison

¹Department of Medicine & Therapeutics, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland
Gordon Prescott

²Department of Public Health, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland
Stuart Watson

²Department of Public Health, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland
Philip Hannaford

⁴Department of General Practice & Primary Care, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland
Cairns Smith

²Department of Public Health, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland
Doris Campbell

³Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland
Michael Greaves

¹Department of Medicine & Therapeutics, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland

Abstract

Summary

Women who have had preeclampsia (PE) or gestational hypertension (GH) exhibit relatively high rates of circulatory diseases. PE is a disease associated with inflammation and vascular endothelial dysfunction. We therefore hypothesised that women with a history of PE or GH might have abnormal levels of markers of endothelial activation or inflammation, reflecting either an innate predisposition to preeclampsia or changes induced by the eclamptic process. Levels of von Willebrand factor, fibrinogen and C-reactive protein were compared in 392 women with a history of PE between 1951 and 1970, 297 women with a history of GH and 163 matched controls. Although no significant differences between those with either PE or GH and controls were noted, subjects with a history of PE had significantly higher CRP values than those with GH. No significant differences were found when the three groups were compared for von Willebrand factor or fibrinogen. Overall, the data do not support our hypothesis.

In addition, our data document increasing von Willebrand factor levels increase with age, which may help explain the age dependent increase in venous or arterial thrombosis. Moderate alcohol consumption was also associated with lower levels of inflammatory markers.

Keywords

Preeclampsia - fibrinogen - von Willebrand factor - C-reactive protein - vascular endothelium

Full Text

References

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