Obstetric History Versus Biomarkers: Hypertension Risk Up to 15 Years Postpartum

BACKGROUND: sFlt-1 (serum soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1) to PlGF (placental growth factor) can be used to predict the development of severe preeclampsia. The association between sFlt-1/PlGF during pregnancy and long-term risk of hypertension is unclear. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study of patients enrolled from 2006 to 2008 in the ongoing LIFECODES biobank. Mean sFlt-1 and PlGF levels were collected in the second half of pregnancy. Electronic medical record review identified those who developed hypertension over 15 year follow-up. Adjusted Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate hazard ratios and 95% CI for the time to diagnosis of hypertension. RESULTS: =0.008). CONCLUSIONS: A history of hypertensive disease of pregnancy was significantly associated with the hazard of developing HTN later in life, while elevated sFlt-1/PlGF levels were not. PlGF levels alone were significantly lower in those who developed hypertension later.