Placental Vascular Calcification and Cardiovascular Health: It Is Time to Determine How Much of Maternal and Offspring Health Is Written in Stone

Abstract

Vascular calcification is the deposition of calcium phosphate minerals in vascular tissue. Vascular calcification occurs by both active and passive processes. Extent and tissue-specific patterns of vascular calcification are predictors of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The placenta is a highly vascularized organ with specialized vasculature that mediates communication between two circulatory systems. At delivery the placenta often contains calcified tissue and calcification can be considered a marker of viral infection, but the mechanisms, histoanatomical specificity, and pathophysiological significance of placental calcification are poorly understood. In this review, we outline the current understanding of vascular calcification mechanisms, biomedical consequences, and therapeutic interventions in the context of histoanatomical types. We summarize available placental calcification data and clinical grading systems for placental calcification. We report on studies that have examined the association between placental calcification and acute adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. We then review the intersection between placental dysfunction and long-term cardiovascular health, including subsequent occurrence of maternal vascular calcification. Possible maternal phenotypes and trigger mechanisms that may predispose for calcification and cardiovascular disease are discussed. We go on to highlight the potential diagnostic value of placental calcification. Finally, we suggest avenues of research to evaluate placental calcification as a research model for investigating the relationship between placental dysfunction and cardiovascular health, as well as a biomarker for placental dysfunction, adverse clinical outcomes, and increased risk of subsequent maternal and offspring cardiovascular events.

T2* relaxometry to characterize normal placental development over gestation in-vivo at 3T

“…Further important factors of influence on T2* values could be placental calcification 26 known to be diamagnetic, infarcts 27 , haematomas and placental lakes -all affecting the quantitative evaluation. Finally, T2* varies with field strength -hindering its direct use for e.g.…”

Safety and efficacy of ChAdOx1 RVF vaccine against Rift Valley fever in pregnant sheep and goats

“…subcutaneous or intranasal or mosquito bite) may have resulted in a slower rate of placental infection with minimal histological evidence of inflammation. 40 Alternatively, the mineralizations may have been incidental, as occurs during the latter stages of gestation in humans 46,47 and livestock 45,48 though its impact on placental physiology is unknown. Future vaccination studies, using different viral challenge routes at different stages of gestation and following pregnancy to full term, will be useful in fully characterizing incidental, transient and irreversible features of placental RVFV infection in livestock.…”

Correlation of ultrasound placental diameter & thickness with gestational age

“…1 The placenta is highly vascular and ensures adequate interaction between the mother and fetus. [1][2][3][4][5] It is known that a healthy and normal placenta enhances fetal growth and is key in good perinatal result. 2 Fetal growth is affected when placental function is not optimal.…”

“…As a result, alteration in placental measurement is an indicator of abnormal fetal growth. [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] Placental thickness is a key factor in perinatal outcome since it affects fetal development. At birth, placental thickness is about 3cm while diameter is 15 -25cm.…”