Study of Placental Acute Atherosis and Its Link to Future Heart Artery Disease in Women After Normal or Pre-Eclamptic Pregnancies

What this Trial Is About

Pregnancy acts like a cardiovascular stress test, and complicated pregnancies such as those with pre-eclampsia or HELLP syndrome are linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease later on. Researchers are studying how the heart adapts during pregnancy and how these changes may or may not reverse over months or years after delivery. This study aims to understand these processes better and identify factors that could be targeted to reduce future cardiovascular risk. This observational study follows women with pre-eclamptic pregnancies and those with uncomplicated pregnancies to compare their heart and vascular health over time. Women are grouped as controls with uncomplicated pregnancies or cases with pre-eclampsia andor HELLP syndrome, with further subdivision based on early or late onset and presence of intrauterine growth restriction. Placental tissue is collected after delivery for analysis. Follow-up visits occur at 6 to 36 months or 10 to 20 years postpartum, including heart imaging, blood tests, and vascular assessments. Participants attend detailed visits lasting about 5 hours, undergoing CT angiography, echocardiography, blood pressure and weight measurements, questionnaires, and blood and exhaled air collection. Some tests may include glycocalyx measurement and FibroScan. The study monitors the relationship between placental vascular changes and coronary artery health, aiming to predict future cardiovascular risk and inform prevention strategies. Safety monitoring includes standard blood draws with minimal risk and clinical advice based on risk profiles.

PlacEntal Acute Atherosis RefLecting Subclinical Atherosclerosis