Early Prediction of Preeclampsia Using arteriaL Stiffness in High-risk prEgnancies

Summary

Despite advances in obstetric care, preeclampsia (PE) remains the leading cause of maternal death and disability in both developed and developing countries, contributing to over 70,000 maternal and 500,000 fetal deaths annually worldwide. PULSE was designed using a preventative medicine approach, focusing on improving early detection of PE as opposed to managing symptoms after onset. The study aims to uncover the earliest possible signs of PE using a combination of novel clinical tools and established diagnostic techniques to better identify, track, and manage high risk pregnant women. Specifically, PULSE will be examining the incorporation of a non-invasive test for the measurement of arterial stiffness, which has been shown to be predictive of hypertensive disorders. This test, in combination with a wide range of blood biomarkers, detailed ultrasound imaging, and a comprehensive battery of physical and mental health questionnaires, represents the largest, most comprehensive preventative PE study to date. The results of this work has the potential to revolutionize the way PE and other hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are managed and treated and can serve to inform the design of future preventative clinical research studies.

Conditions

• High Risk Pregnancy
• Arterial Stiffness
• Pre-Eclampsia

Interventions

DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Arterial Stiffness and Wave Reflection

Arterial stiffness and wave refection, a non-invasive test, will be collected and combined with standard clinical markers (blood biomarkers, ultrasound imaging) as well as medical and psychosocial questionnaires in order to test a comprehensive, multi-marker approach for pre-eclampsia prediction in high risk pregnant women.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Université de Montréal

  collaborator OTHER

• London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute OR Lawson Research Institute of St. Joseph's

  collaborator OTHER

• University of British Columbia

  collaborator OTHER

• University of Glasgow

  collaborator OTHER

• Laval University

  collaborator OTHER

• Instituto Nacional de Perinatologia Isidro Espinosa de los Reyes

  collaborator OTHER_GOV

• McGill University

  collaborator OTHER

• McGill University Health Centre/Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Stella S Daskalopoulou, MD, PhD · Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2021-07-12

Primary Completion

2026-01-31

Completion

2027-01-31

Countries

• Canada

Study Locations