Clinical characteristics of first myocardial infarction in women by history of adverse pregnancy outcomes

Abstract

Abstract Background Adverse pregnancy complications are known risk factors for future coronary artery disease in women and small studies suggest that a history of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are associated with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) at the time of myocardial infarction. (1) Recent evidence from a population-based study also suggests that middle aged women with a history of either hypertensive disorders of pregnancy or a small for gestational age infant have a different segmental-level pattern of coronary artery atherosclerosis as detected by coronary computed tomography angiography. (2) Purpose To study clinical characteristics of first-time myocardial infarction by adverse pregnancy outcome history (preterm delivery, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy [including preeclampsia and gestational hypertension], and small for gestational age infant). Methods In 8,320 women age ≤65 years with first myocardial infarction in Sweden 2007-2022, we used logistic regression to estimate the association between adverse pregnancy outcome history and presenting with STEMI (vs. non ST-elevation myocardial infarction [NSTEMI]), in-hospital revascularization, and peak troponin >75th percentile, respectively. In addition to age-adjusted results, we also considered predictors of coronary artery disease (body mass index, diabetes, hypertension, smoking status and dyslipidemia). Results In total, 1301 (15.6 %) women with a first myocardial infarction had a history of preterm delivery, 887 (10.7 %) women had a history of small for gestational age infant, 1078 (13.0 %) women had a history of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and 3,128 (37.6%) women presented with STEMI. The odds of presenting with STEMI were higher in women with a history of delivering a small for gestational age infant (age-adjusted odds ratio 1.40, 95% CI 1.22-1.61), as well as the odds of in-hospital revascularization (odds ratio 1.30, 95% CI 1.12-1.50), and peak troponin >75th percentile (odds ratio 1.23, 95% CI 1.05-1.43). Accounting for predictors of coronary artery disease did not change these estimates substantially. No consistent associations were observed between preterm delivery or hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and outcomes. Conclusion(s) Among women presenting with a first myocardial infarction, a history of small for gestational age infant was associated with clinical characteristics indicating larger myocardial injury. The extent to which this is relevant for the prevention and treatment of coronary artery disease in women warrants further studies.