Identifying Biomarkers for Endothelial Dysfunction in Women With Preeclampsia

Conditions studied

Endothelial Function (FMD), Preeclampsia, Retinal Vessels

About this study

Every pregnancy has a major impact on a woman's heart and blood vessels due to changes required by the body to maintain proper blood flow between mother and foetus. When the placenta does not work properly, preeclampsia can occur. An important first symptom is high blood pressure. Women who have experienced preeclampsia are at higher risk of developing blood pressure and heart problems later on. Therefore, it is very important to detect changes in the blood vessel system so that they can be treated promptly and correctly. We aim to do this by using a new, non-invasive eye test that examines the blood vessels of the retina.

Interventions

• Other: Arterial stiffness — Non-invasive test. A blood pressure cuff and tonometer (a type of pen placed on the neck) are used to measure the speed at which a pressure wave propagates from one place to another. Every time the heart contracts, a pressure wave is generated that propagates from the heart to the blood vessels at a certain speed. The stiffer the blood vessels, the faster the wave propagates.
• Other: Flow-meditad dilatation — This study measures the capacity with which blood vessels expand when we briefly cut off blood flow. The endothelium, the inner layer of blood vessels, regulates this expansion. By ultrasound, we measure the difference in diameter of the elbow artery. To cut off the blood flow, we clamp the forearm with a blood pressure cuff for 5 minutes. When the blood pressure cuff is released, it triggers increased blood flow in the arm, causing the blood vessels to expand. We record this expansion using the above techniques.
• Other: Dynamic retinal vessel analyzer — Eye imaging measures the capacity with which your blood vessels in the retina can expand in response to a flicker light stimulation.

Primary outcomes

• Retinal biomarkers (Baseline)

Eligibility information

Study locations

• Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Antwerp 2650 Belgium