Increased vascular stiffness (early vascular aging) as a new risk factor for spontaneous abortion in women of reproductive age (interim results of a pilot study)

Objective. To define the correlation between early vascular aging (EVA) syndrome and adverse pregnancy outcomes, including spontaneous abortions and missed miscarriages. Material and methods. The observational and retrospective study included 29 women of reproductive age (18-49 years old), who from February 01 up to December 01, 2024 on the basis of the Clinic of Modern Phlebology (Ufa) underwent a study of vascular stiffness by volumetric sphygmography on the Fukuda Vasera 2000 device (Japan) as part of routine preventive examinations. Archival data from patients’ medical records, including vascular stiffness indices (cardiac ankle vascular index (CAVI)), brachial-ankle index, anthropometric data, hemodynamic indices, and information on the course of pregnancy and its outcomes have been used for analyzing. Patients with chronic diseases affecting the vascular system and incomplete data in medical records have not been included in the study. Results. Depending on the phenotype of vascular aging, we divided the patients into 2 groups as follows: 3 patients (10.3%) have been assigned to the group of early vascular aging (EVA) and 26 patients (89.7%) to the group of normal (NOVA) and supernormal aging (SUPERNOVA). In terms of pregnancy outcomes, there have been 2 cases of spontaneous abortions, both in the group of early vascular aging (66.7%; p=0.0074). No malformations have been detected on pathologic examination of the fetuses in both cases. Another patient in the EVA group gave birth to 2 healthy children. In the NOVA and SUPERNOVA groups, there have been no spontaneous abortions or missed miscarriages. Conclusion. The results of our study confirm the significance of early vascular aging syndrome as a potential pathophysiologic risk factor for early pregnancy loss. The findings emphasize the need for early detection of EVA syndrome starting from adolescence, which allows the introduction of individualized preventive and therapeutic measures to reduce the risk of miscarriage. Future studies shall be aimed at expanding the sample and investigating the long-term reproductive health effects of vascular aging to improve the demographics and health of women of reproductive age.