Maternal cardiovascular function in midgestation is related to placental angiogenesis

ABSTRACT Objective To investigate whether angiogenic markers of placental function are associated with maternal cardiac function and hemodynamic responses at 19–23 weeks' gestation, controlling for maternal risk factors and pregnancy complications. Methods This was a prospective study of women with singleton pregnancy attending King's College Hospital, London, UK, for a routine hospital visit at 19–23 weeks' gestation. We recorded maternal characteristics and measured mean arterial pressure (MAP), maternal heart rate, serum placental growth factor (PlGF) and soluble fms‐like tyrosine kinase‐1 (sFlt‐1). We also performed maternal echocardiography to assess cardiac output and peripheral vascular resistance as well as indices of diastolic and systolic function. Results Our cohort included 4006 women. Lower PlGF values were significantly associated with higher MAP (P