Pilot study investigating longer-term cardiac effects of pre-eclampsia
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Pilot study to confirm that a history of pre-eclampsia is associated with adverse indices of cardiac function.
IRAS ID
205013
Contact name
Philip Baker
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Leicester
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 11 months, 29 days
Research summary
Women with a history of pre-eclampsia compared to normal healthy pregnancies are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease later in life. Women with pre-eclampsia have a 3.7 times higher risk of later high blood pressure, 2.2 times increased risk of heart disease, and an 1.8 times higher risk of stroke. One explanation is that pre-eclampsia and cardiovascular disease share traits which explains why common risk factors, such as diabetes and obesity, lead to pre-eclampsia and cardiovascular diseases at different times of a woman’s life. A history of pre-eclampsia may help identify women at risk of cardiovascular diseases early in life, thus offering an opportunity for timely screening, and preventive treatment strategies.
The pathophysiology of pre-eclampsia is strikingly similar to that of Cardiovascular disease; features of the metabolic syndrome, an inflammatory response, and a hypercoagulable state. In addition, similar to cardiovascular diseases, endothelial dysfunction plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia. Recent work has demonstrated that anti-angiogenic signaling can cause cardiac dysfunction in pregnant women with pre-eclampsia.
In order to determine the value of a maternal history of pre-eclampsia as a screening test for later cardiovascular disease, we need to understand whether the pregnancy disorder reflects an underlying predisposition or whether it directly damages the heart. This pilot study of women 12-18 months after pregnancies complicated by pre-eclampsia (as compared to matched controls) – will use advanced clinical assessment of cardiac function to determine whether the immediate cardiac effects of pre-eclampsia have regressed (indicating no direct damage) or remain (suggesting direct damage as a consequence of developing pre-eclampsia).REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 2
REC reference
16/NS/0058
Date of REC Opinion
12 Jul 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion