Group characteristicsb'*'.

BackgroundWomen developing preeclampsia (PE) or fetal growth restriction (FGR) during pregnancy are at higher risk for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) later in life. We aimed to analyse cardiovascular health of women 10–20 years after affected pregnancies in comparison to women after uneventful pregnancies. In addition, we assessed a potential long-term effect of the NO-donor pentaerythrityl tetranitrate (PETN).MethodsWomen 10–20 years after severe PE, including women receiving PETN during pregnancy and matched controls were recruited and assessed for baseline clinical data and cardiovascular function by transthoracic echocardiography, VICORDER and USCOM. SPSS was used for statistical analysis.Results53 participants after PE/FGR (13 with former PETN intake) and 51 controls were recruited for follow-up at an average of 14 years after index pregnancies. Compared to controls, women after PE/FGR had a significantly higher incidence of arterial hypertension (13.7% vs. 41.5%, pConclusionsIn conclusion, our study results confirm that the risk of CVD is increased in women after PE/FGR compared to women after uneventful pregnancies. Contrary to our expectations, no major cardiovascular changes were observed in our cohort 10–20 years post pregnancy. The observed differences found in right heart dimensions were within reference ranges, and should be interpreted with caution.