SCCT: Pre-Pregnancy CAC Associated with Threefold Higher Risk of Preeclampsia

Emerging research presented at the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT) conference suggests that pre-pregnancy coronary artery calcium (CAC) is a significant predictor of preeclampsia (PreE).

For the retrospective case-control study, researchers reviewed computed tomography (CT) data from 204 women (mean age of 37.5) with prior PreE and 214 women (mean age of 35.9) who had normotensive pregnancies.

The study authors found that 36.8 percent of women in the PreE group had pre-pregnancy CAC in comparison to 15.9 percent for women who had normotensive pregnancies.

Examining multiple potential risk factors, including non-gestational diabetes, chronic hypertension and maternal age > 35, the researchers determined that pre-pregnancy CAC was the only statistically significant risk factor for the development of PreE. Pre-pregnancy CAC was associated with a 3.1-fold higher risk for PreE, according to the study authors.

“The presence of CAC prior to pregnancy may serve as a powerful predictor of PreE, potentially outperforming traditional risk factors, particularly in high-risk populations,” noted lead study author Brian R. Kocak, MD, an instructor of medicine in the Division of Hospital Medicine in the John T. Milliken Department of Medicine at Washington University in St. Louis, Mo., and colleagues.

In light of the findings, the researchers emphasized the merits of preventive CT screening and treatment for women with previous PreE.

“ … This study underscores the importance of cardiovascular risk assessment in women with a history of PreE, as many may already harbor subclinical coronary atherosclerosis and could benefit from early and aggressive cardiovascular risk reduction strategies,” added Kocak and colleagues.

Reference

1. Kocak BR, Manjunath S, Lee C, et al. Pre-pregnancy coronary artery calcium as a predictor of preeclampsia. Presented at the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT) conference, July 9-12, 2026, San Diego. Available at: https://cattendee.abstractsonline.com/meeting/21508/meeting-info