Central Blood Pressure

Early Detection of Central Blood Pressure and Arterial Stiffness (Pulse Wave Analysis) Can be a Predictor of Gestational Hypertension/Preeclampsia.

The aim of the study is to check standard screening blood pressure in the arm and central blood pressure, the blood pressure at the heart in pregnant women. The standard brachial pressure is routinely monitored throughout pregnancy, however it is not sensitive enough to distinguish preeclampsia from other types of hypertension or to predict preeclampsia in those at risk. Central aortic pressure monitoring has become a valuable clinical tool and preliminary studies suggest that measuring of central blood pressure may be better predictor of preeclampsia. It is non invasive and doesn't require undressing. It involves using a standard blood pressure cuff placed around the thigh, checking carotid pulse and pressure with an ultrasound and taking measurements of the person neck to torso. With this knowledge it will be a useful screening tool to identify these patients at higher risk and hopefully lead to closer monitoring, earlier treatment and reduced morbidity and mortality

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Hypertension
• Intervention / Treatment: Procedure: central blood pressure

Detailed Description

When blood pressure is measured conventionally over the brachial artery it is assumed that these measurements accurately reflect pressures in the central circulation. However, central aortic pressure is the blood pressure at the root of aorta and are determined not only by cardiac output and peripheral vascular resistance, but by the stiffness of conduit arteries and the timing and magnitude of pressure wave reflection.

Studies have shown the importance of central aortic pressure and its implications in assessing the efficacy of antihypertensive treatment with respect to cardiovascular risk factors. In the CAFE Study the traditional method of measuring blood pressure in the arms has been shown to underestimate the efficacy of drugs such as amlodipine and overestimate the efficacy of those like atenolol (4). This clinical trial demonstrated that different medications for lowering blood pressure have different effects on the central aortic pressure and blood flow characteristics, despite producing similar brachial blood pressure readings. They also were able to show that central aortic pressures are a better independent predictor of cardiovascular and renal outcome. The Strong Heart Study went further to depict how central pressure are more predictive of the load imposed on the coronary and cerebral arteries and thereby bear a stronger relationship to vascular damage and prognosis.

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, in particular, preeclampsia, are a leading cause of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. In the United States and the United Kingdom, approximately 5% of pregnancies are complicated by preeclampsia, and of these patients, 1-2% progress to eclampsia. It is estimated that these rates are higher in developing countries. An estimated 50,000 women die annually from preeclampsia worldwide. The presence of hypertension during pregnancy is also associated with a two-fold increase in the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus. In addition, a history of preeclampsia increases a women's subsequent risk of vascular disease, including hypertension, ischemic heart disease, myocardial infarction and stroke. The increased risk of complications is not limited to the mother; babies of women with hypertensive disorders during pregnancy are more likely to suffer adverse outcomes than those of women without hypertension. A large cross-sectional study observing more than 250,000 women and their infants showed that women with gestational hypertension were at a 30% greater risk of death or major morbidity, and women with pre-eclampsia had a 400% increased risk, compared to women without hypertension. Although preeclampsia is not preventable, early diagnosis, careful monitoring and aggressive treatment is crucial in preventing mortality.

The brachial pressure is routinely monitored throughout pregnancy, however it is not sensitive enough to distinguish preeclampsia from other types of hypertension or to predict preeclampsia in those at risk. Central aortic pressure monitoring has become a valuable clinical tool outside of pregnancy, particular in assessment of patient's hypertension, renal disease and diabetes. Preliminary studies suggest that measuring of central blood pressure may be predictive preeclampsia. In normal pregnancy aortic stiffness has been shown to vary throughout the pregnancy, reaching its lowest point in second trimester and rising again in the third trimester. A number of studies have investigated the change in pulse wave indices in the third trimester across the spectrum of hypertensive disorders. Central pressures, along with Augmentation pressure were found to be significantly higher in gestational hypertension and preeclampsia compared to normal pregnancy. In addition, Aortic augmentation pressure and pulse wave velocity has been shown to vary between preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, and normal pregnancy. The ability to accurately identify women at risk for preeclampsia would have significant clinical benefits. The ability to distinguish between hypertensive disorders and identify those women who have increased risk of preeclampsia can lead to better management of hypertensive disorders during pregnancy and therefore better outcomes for both mother and child. The aim of our study is to examine if early evaluation of central blood pressure and arterial stiffness (pulse wave analysis) can be a predictor of gestational hypertension/preeclampsia.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Anticipated): 100

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 14 years to 60 years (Child, Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: Female

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Pregnant women > or equal to 14 year old to 60 years old

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• ≤20 weeks pregnant

Exclusion Criteria:

• Multi-pregnancy; Fetal anomalies

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
pulse wave analysis	pulse wave analysis can be a predictor of gestational hypertension/preeclampsia.	1 year

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: St. Louis University
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Laura Vricella, MD, St. Louis University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): November 1, 2016
• Primary Completion (Actual): July 11, 2017
• Study Completion (Actual): July 11, 2017

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: January 12, 2017
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 17, 2017
• First Posted (Estimate): January 20, 2017

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): November 29, 2017
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 27, 2017
• Last Verified: November 1, 2017

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Cardiovascular Diseases; Vascular Diseases; Hypertension
• Other Study ID Numbers: 23621

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO