PROTOCOL OVERVIEW: EARLY PREDICTION OF PREECLAMPSIA USING ARTERIAL STIFFNESS IN HIGH-RISK PREGNANCIES (PULSE)

Authors

Emma J. Medwedeff, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Department of Exercise and Sport ScienceFollow
Margaret I. Damaré, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Department of Exercise and Sport ScienceFollow
Lauren C. Bates-Fraser, Human Movement Science Curriculum, Department of Allied Health Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel HillFollow
Taylor N. Hughes, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Department of Exercise and Sport ScienceFollow
F. Neal Kincheloe, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Department of BiologyFollow
Lee Stoner FACSM, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Department of Exercise and Sport ScienceFollow

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Preeclampsia (PE), a hypertensive syndrome of pregnancy, represents a leading cause of death amongst pregnant women around the world. Women with PE have an increased risk of developing hypertension and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Current tools used to detect PE include clinical metrics including mean arterial pressure (MAP), blood biomarkers, uterine artery doppler (UAD) indices, or report of symptoms after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Pulse wave velocity is a non-invasive measure of arterial stiffness (AS), an indicator of vascular dysfunction. OBJECTIVE: The primary aim of this study is to investigate AS, an indicator of vascular dysfunction, as a possible predictor of PE in high-risk pregnant individuals. METHODS: Women with a singleton pregnancy (n=370) who display > 1 high risk > 2 moderate risk factors according to the United States Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) guidelines will be recruited for this multinational prospective study. Participants will complete two visits, one at 10-13 weeks gestation and another at 18-21 weeks gestation. Carotid-to-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) and UAD PWV will be collected as measures of AS. The SphygmoCor is used to measure blood pressure, pulse wave velocity (PWV), and wave reflection. The UAD will be used to capture 3 waveforms of each the right and left uterine arteries crossing the external iliac arteries. ANTICIPATED RESULTS: We hypothesize that PE will be associated with significantly higher measures of AS. CONCLUSION: Findings from the PULSE study will promote early risk identification (beginning in 1st trimester) and prediction of PE in high-risk women. Early risk identification could help to mitigate PE risk and CV consequences associated with PE, potentially allowing for clinical and lifestyle interventions to be implemented more effectively.

Recommended Citation

Medwedeff, Emma J.; Damaré, Margaret I.; Bates-Fraser, Lauren C.; Hughes, Taylor N.; Kincheloe, F. Neal; and Stoner, Lee FACSM (2024) "PROTOCOL OVERVIEW: EARLY PREDICTION OF PREECLAMPSIA USING ARTERIAL STIFFNESS IN HIGH-RISK PREGNANCIES (PULSE)," International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 16: Iss. 3, Article 296.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol16/iss3/296