Clinical Research Directory

Progesterone Preeclampsia

This randomized controlled trial evaluates whether nightly vaginal micronized progesterone (400 mg) initiated before 12 weeks' gestation reduces the incidence of preeclampsia in low-risk pregnant individuals. Participants will be randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either vaginal progesterone through 16 weeks' gestation or routine prenatal care without progesterone. Maternal and neonatal outcomes-including development of preeclampsia, obstetric complications, gestational diabetes, preterm birth, and neonatal morbidity-will be collected via chart review. The study aims to determine whether early progesterone supplementation decreases the risk of preeclampsia.

Accuracy of Venous Excess Ultrasound Score at Hospital Admission to Predict Acute Kidney Injury

To evaluate diagnostic accuracy of venous excess ultrasound score to predict acute kidney injury

Low Dose Aspirin Alerts in High-Risk Pregnancies

The goal of this study is to assess the effect of an electronic health record (EHR) clinical decision support tool, also known as a best practice alert (BPA), on healthcare provider recommendations for low dose aspirin use in a high-risk pregnant patient population. The investigators hypothesize that the implementation of the EHR BPA tool will increase the healthcare provider's recommendation for low dose aspirin compared to current standard care.

Placental Imaging Techniques

The goal of this proof-of-concept, case-control, clinical trial is to evaluate the efficacy of using two newer ultrasound technologies, quantitative ultrasound (QUS) and ultrafast power Doppler imaging (uPDI), to evaluate the health of the placenta, visualize blood flow through the placental vasculature by color Doppler imaging in singleton pregnancies with and without fetal growth restriction (FGR). * Our primary objective is to investigate the ability of using these ultrasound technologies to distinguish healthy pregnancies from those affected by FGR, a condition characterized by a fetal weight below the 10th percentile for the gestational age or abdominal circumference of the pregnancy. * Secondary aims include longitudinal evaluation of differences in QUS and uPDI imaging over gestation and changes in these measures with evolution of utero-placental insufficiency including with the development of abnormal umbilical-artery Doppler testing, diagnosis of severe FGR, identification of stillbirth, and detection of preeclampsia or preterm birth. Investigators will compare QUS/uPDI imaging and values in pregnancies determined to be healthy by approved, standard-of-care growth ultrasounds to those diagnosed with FGR. Participants will receive research ultrasounds with the experimental Verasonics Vantage 256 system (Verasonics, Inc, Kirkland, WA) utilizing uPDI/QUS every three weeks following their routine growth ultrasound evaluation until delivery. Demographic, obstetric, and delivery-related information, as well as portions of subjects' past medical history will be utilized by researchers to further contextualize imaging and variables gathered during the research ultrasounds.

Preventing Obstetric Complications With Dietary Intervention

The goal of this study is to learn whether access to healthy and fresh food, health coaching, and nutrition support intervention can reduce adverse birth outcomes in pregnant women. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does access to healthy and fresh food, health coaching and nutrition support reduce the risk of gestational diabetes or preeclampsia and ultimately improve health outcomes for mothers and their newborns? * Are participants able to successfully utilize the health program? Are participants satisfied and self-equipped to apply the teachings of the program within their lives following their participation in the study? Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. Participants in the standard of care will be asked to: * Complete surveys * Biometric screenings Participants in the intervention group will be asked to: * Complete surveys * Biometric screenings * Participate in weekly personal health coaching * Receive and consume provided weekly meals. Researchers will compare the standard of care to those who receive the intervention to see the impact of the intervention on clinical outcomes including: gestational weight gain, blood pressure, diagnosis of gestational diabetes, diagnosis of gestational hypertension or preeclampsia, and gestational age at birth.

A Study to Investigate the Safety, Pharmacodynamic and Pharmacokinetic Characteristics of CBP-4888 in Hospitalized Participants With Preterm Preeclampsia and Their Children up to 24 Months

This study is a dose finding study to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of subcutaneous CBP-4888 in hospitalized participants with Preterm Preeclampsia receiving Standard of Care, Expectant Management. Eligible participants are between 26 +0/7 and 35 +6/7 weeks gestational age and clinically appropriate for inpatient expectant management. Eligible participants will receive standard of care expectant management for their pregnancy with the only study interventions being one subcutaneous dose of CBP-4888. Participants will: * receive a single subcutaneous injection dose of CBP-4888 and will be followed through delivery and for 42 days (+14 days) after delivery. Participants will be followed through 6 weeks post delivery. * Infants will be evaluated immediately postpartum and then followed through 24 months of age with standard infant and pediatric assessments with phone calls made to parents.

Fetal Renal Artery Doppler in Patients With Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a major devastating disorder affects 2:10% of pregnancies worldwide. preeclampsia may be associated with placental insufficiency which may cause fetal blood redistribution to essential organs like brain, heart, kidney.

New Therapeutic Strategy Against Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy associated with important maternal and perinatal mortality. It complicates 2 to 5% of pregnancies and causes more than 70 000 maternal deaths each year worldwide. Although symptomatic management has improved there is currently no curative treatment, and only childbirth and delivery of the placenta, usually prematurely, alleviate the mother's symptoms. The management of extremely preterm infants is a major societal challenge in medical, ethical and economic terms. Placental insufficiency plays a central role in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia. Abnormal placentation during the first trimester leads to placental hypoperfusion, which induces trophoblast dysfunction and the release in maternal circulation of trophoblastic factors leading to the maternal symptoms. Among molecules that participate to the pathophysiology of preeclampsia, one of the most important players is soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1), which is a soluble form of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and placenta growth factor (PlGF) receptor. sFlt-1 binds to free VEGF and PlGF in the maternal circulation, thus reducing their bioavailability for their membrane receptors. Targeting the sFlt-1 pathway is one of the most promising strategies for the development of new treatments for preeclampsia. As sFlt-1 results from alternative splicing, its peptide sequence is identical to that of the extracellular part of the membrane receptor. The development of drugs that act specifically on the soluble form and not on the membrane form is therefore particularly complex. The general objective of this research is to restore the angiogenic balance that maintains the physiological concentrations of free angiogenic factors in order to significantly prolong the pregnancy and diminish the consequences of the great prematurity. The precise objectives of the APHERESE 2 project are: 1. To transpose the proof of concept of the APHERESE1 project to the scale of a real apheresis column 2. To develop an innovative assay technology to determine the global circulating angiogenic balance for each patient

The PreEclampsia Postpartum Prevention Trial

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a postpartum bundle intervention can improve cardiometabolic health and lifestyle-related factors in women who have had preeclampsia during their first pregnancy. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does the 9-month intervention reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure? * Does the intervention promote postpartum weight loss? * Does the intervention affect weight and blood pressure depending on early pregnancy BMI? Researchers will compare the bundle intervention to standard care to see if the intervention improves cardiometabolic health and lifestyle outcomes. All participants will attend clinical visits for outcome assessments. Participants in the intervention group will: * Receive online targeted screening and group meetings with study personnel * Use the trial-specific PEPP app to access self-monitoring tools for blood pressure and weight, lifestyle modification, and health education * Follow the intervention in two phases: starting after inclusion (≈8 weeks postpartum) with a Light phase (baseline-3 months) and progressing to an Intensive phase (3-9 months)

PI4 - A Trial Assessing Metformin to Prolong Gestation in Preterm Preeclampsia

Preterm preeclampsia is a severe condition for both the mother and the fetus. Currently, the only treatment available to stop disease progression is termination/delivery of the fetus and placenta. Therefore, preterm preeclampsia carries the highest rates of neonatal morbidity and mortality due to iatrogenic preterm birth. There is evidence suggesting metformin, a drug commonly used to treat diabetes in and outside pregnancy, may be able to counter the pathophysiology of preeclampsia, raising the possibility that it could be used to treat the condition. This multi centre double blind randomised controlled trial aims to investigate if metformin can prolong gestation, lower neonatal length of stay and increase birthweight in a Nordic setting.

Effectiveness of Two Aspirin Doses for Prevention of Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy: ASPIRIN TRIAL

The overall goal of this large, pragmatic, comparative effectiveness trial is to test the hypothesis that among at-risk individuals, 162 mg/day aspirin is superior to 81 mg/day in preventing Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), and that there are multiple factors associated with adherence with aspirin therapy that will be important to identify to enable optimal implementation of study findings and population-level benefits.

MitoQ to Improve Vascular Funciton in Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a leading cause of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. There is a lack of effective therapeutics for prevention or treatment. Our previous ex vivo work demonstrated that mitochondrial-antioxidants can reverse placental microvascular damage. Therefore, this study will evaluate whether MitoQ (Mitoquinol Mesylate, a mitochondrial-antioxidant) has the potential to restore vasodilation, improve placental function, and therefore promote pregnancy prolongation in patients with preeclampsia. This evaluation of clinical data, patient samples, and vascular function studies in patients with preeclampsia could translate into a viable therapeutic option.

Ravulizumab in Pregnancies Complicated by Severe Hypertensive Disorders

The researchers are testing a medication named ravulizumab for the treatment of severe preeclampsia and Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes, Low Platelets (HELLP) syndrome.

Aspirin and Neutrophils in Preeclampsia

The exact mechanisms by which aspirin prevents the development of preeclampsia in high-risk patients are currently not fully known. Furthermore, a small proportion of high-risk patients who are on low-dose aspirin (LDA) still go on to develop preeclampsia (PE). This longitudinal observational study will assess the immune profile in participants who are taking low dose aspirin (LDA) in pregnancy. As part of routine care, patients at high risk of developing preeclampsia are treated with LDA from 16 weeks gestation. The study will be conducted at Barts Health National Health Service (NHS) Trust. The study population will comprise of 2 groups of participants: 1. Those who respond to LDA and do not develop preeclampsia (responders) 2. Participants who do not respond to LDA and develop preeclampsia (non responders) Participants will be consented at their booking appointment. Participants will be eligible if they have a singleton pregnancy and are aged over 18 years. They will have an additional blood sample taken at 12, 20, 28 and 36 weeks gestation. The blood samples will be tested to assess immune cell function, metabolism and genetics. This will identify cumulative changes in immunobiology at key time points in pregnancy.

Exercise Testing After Preeclampsia

Though cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality in women, traditional epidemiology in this area has focused on later life, when cardiometabolic risk has already exacted a cumulative toll on the vascular system. Recent data from the investigators and others has highlighted pregnancy as a unique, early moment of cardiovascular stress in young women that may "unmask" CVD propensity. It is unclear if PreE simply represents a "failed stress test" or directly contributes to the pathophysiology of future CVD. While mechanistic studies have largely been the purview of model-based studies, endothelial dysfunction has emerged as central to the pathogenesis of both PreE and peripartum cardiac dysfunction. Indeed, biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction and angiogenic imbalance during pregnancy have been shown to remain elevated at least 6 months post-partum. Moreover, peri-partum endothelial dysfunction can persist for years post-delivery and remains a significant risk factor for CVD (even after adjustment for other traditional risk factors). While these findings suggest that PreE-associated endothelial dysfunction and inflammation may contribute to early myocardial dysfunction that presages HF risk decades before its onset, the modifiable epidemiology of PreE-associated LVDD, including potential mechanisms of risk, remains unclear, limited by lack of precision molecular phenotypes accessible in a large number of American women across race. Ultimately, understanding the epidemiology and pathobiology of PreE-associated myocardial dysfunction affords a unique opportunity to identify women at risk with a longer lead-time for risk factor modification to interrupt CVD. The investigators hypothesize that persistent structural-functional myocardial alterations after PreE are linked to pre- and post-gravid cardiometabolic risk factors (SA1), functional and hemodynamic impairment (SA2) and select pathways of vascular and inflammatory stress relevant to HF risk (SA3). Despite extensive study on the role of inflammation/ischemia in PreE, there have been no large studies connecting these phenotypes with early PP functional response and biochemical alterations, a key barrier to designing studies for improving CVD/HF in women. SA1: To identify pregnancy-specific clinical factors related to postpartum HFpEF phenotypes Clinical Implication: Improve identification of women at highest risk for developing post-PreE LV diastolic dysfunction (a harbinger of HFpEF). SA2: To define functional and hemodynamic signatures of early HFpEF due to preeclampsia Clinical Implication: Identify women at highest risk for developing early HFpEF. SA3: To identify shared pathophysiologic mechanistic pathways for PreE-associated HFpEF Clinical Implication: Identify targetable pathways for post-PreE cardiac dysfunction that may prevent/ delay HFpEF development.

Safety, Tolerability, and PK/PD of Telpegfilgrastim Injection in Non-pregnant Females of Childbearing

This is an open-label, single-arm, Phase Ⅰa clinical study designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) characteristics of multiple doses of Telpegfilgrastim Injection in non-pregnant women of childbearing. It contains two cohorts: Cohort 1, healthy childbearing-age non-pregnant participants, and Cohort 2, childbearing-age non-pregnant participants with a history of preeclampsia, totaling 30 non-pregnant women of childbearing age will be enrolled. Each participant in Cohort 2 will go through a screening period, a baseline phase (the day before the first dose), a treatment period, and a follow-up period after dosing.

Molecular Study of the Maternal-fetal Interface in Preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia (PE) is a major obstetric complication with short- and long-term consequences for the mother and the fetus. Early screening tools to reduce its mortality and morbidity, as well as to prevent the life-threatening consequences are needed. Thus, the detection of women at risk of suffering PE is key to apply preventive and treatment strategies. Recently, the maternal contribution to PE based on defective decidualization that prevents the establishment of a functional maternal-fetal interface has been evidenced. The main objective of this study is to identify molecular markers or aberrant maternal-fetal cell types that can be detected early in the development of the disease in maternal-fetal interface tissue (chorionic villi + decidua) collected during gestational weeks 9 to 15. Maternal-fetal interface biopsy will be collected from women who have a recommendation for aneuploidy testing. The remaining fragment will be used for this study.

Vagal Stimulation Therapy and Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is one of the most common and serious complications of pregnancy, affecting both the mother and baby. It is a condition characterized by high blood pressure and can lead to severe complications, including neurological issues and reduced blood flow to the placenta. Preeclampsia is responsible for a significant number of maternal and perinatal deaths worldwide, with an estimated 14% of maternal mortality in Mexico linked to this condition. Recent research suggests that disruptions in the body's autonomic nervous system, specifically the balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems, play a role in the development of preeclampsia. The vagus nerve, which is part of the parasympathetic system, has been shown to regulate inflammation and blood pressure. Stimulating this nerve through pharmacological, magnetic, electrical, or physical therapy techniques has shown promise in preclinical models for improving blood pressure control and reducing complications associated with preeclampsia. Trigger point release therapy modulates the nervous system by reducing sympathetic activity, promoting blood vessel relaxation, lowering heart rate, and enhancing circulation. When combined with standard antihypertensive treatment, this approach may offer additional benefits for blood pressure regulation. This study aims to evaluate the effects of vagal autonomic stimulation physiotherapy using trigger point release therapy as a complementary treatment for pregnant women with preeclampsia. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either standard antihypertensive treatment with positional release therapy (control group) or the same treatment combined with vagal stimulation physiotherapy (intervention group). Researchers will assess the intervention's effectiveness in controlling blood pressure and improving overall maternal and fetal health outcomes. By investigating this non-invasive, drug-free approach, this study aims to offer new strategies for managing preeclampsia, potentially improving maternal and fetal health while reducing reliance on medication.

Assessment of Volume Status in Preeclampsia Post- SpinalAnasthesia:Utilizing Ultrasound " Evaluation of Lung and Inferior Vena Cava"

Primary aim Assess the accuracy and reliability of ultrasound evaluation of lung and inferior vena cava in determining volume status post-spinal anesthesia in pre-eclampsia patients. Measure the correlation between ultrasound findings and the traditional methods. Determine if ultrasound evaluation can predict fluid responsiveness and guide fluid management in this population. Secondary aim The secondary outcomes are: Investigate the association between volume status as determined by ultrasound and clinical outcomes such as maternal morbidity, neonatal outcomes, and length of hospital stay. Explore the feasibility and practicality of incorporating ultrasound evaluation into routine clinical practice for volume assessment in pre-eclampsiapatients post-spinal anesthesia. Consider patient satisfaction and acceptance of ultrasound evaluation compared to traditional methods.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) for Sleep Apnea in Pregnancy

A randomized controlled trial of 1,500 women to assess whether treatment of obstructive sleep apnea with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in pregnancy will result in a reduction in the rate of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.

Vitamin D Supplementation Among Pregnant Women in Uganda for the Prevention of Hypertensive Disorders in Pregnancy, and Other Adverse Maternal and Foetal Outcomes

The goal of this randomised controlled trial is to investigate if vitamin D supplementation among pregnant women in Uganda prevents adverse maternal and foetal outcomes, with special emphasis on preeclampsia. The main question it aims to answer is if Vitamin D supplementation, administered as oral vitamin D₃ at a dose of 2,000 IU once daily, from the time of recruitment to the time of delivery, reduces the incidence of preeclampsia, eclampsia and HELLP syndrome in pregnant women attending ANC at St. Mary's Hospital, Lacor, such incidence being monitored up to six (6) weeks after delivery. Researchers will compare the effect of oral 2.000 IU vitamin D daily (intervention group) vs. oral placebo daily (control group) on the prevalence of adverse maternal and foetal outcomes.

Spironolactone to Improve Pregnancy-Associated Hypertension Trajectories

The hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (preeclampsia and gestational hypertension) are associated with increased long-term maternal risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Recent evidence suggests that activation of the mineralocorticoid receptor promotes ongoing susceptibility to hypertension in women following hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. In addition, women with overweight/obesity are at increased risk for progression to chronic hypertension after experiencing hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Among women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and pre-pregnancy overweight/obesity, the investigators will conduct a randomized trial to test the effect of pharmacologically blocking the mineralocorticoid receptor for three months after delivery on blood pressure and cardiac remodeling at nine months postpartum.

Dietary Salicylates and Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia (PE) is an important pregnancy complication and cause of maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity. The underlying etiology and pathophysiology of preeclampsia is incompletely understood but it involves dysfunctional cytotrophoblastic invasion, placental ischemia, and release of inflammatory and endothelial mediators. Placenta dysfunction in PE is related to angiogenic balance. Currently, therapeutic options for the prevention and treatment of PE are limited. It is known that the risk of PE is reduced by low-dose aspirin. Therefore, the influence of salicylates on the development of PE seems to need to be investigated. This project plans to examine the preventive effects of food sources of salicylic acid and compare their effects with aspirin. Therefore, the aim of the present study is thus answer the following questions. whether the maternal dietary intake of salicylates is related to placental angiogenesis; 2. whether naturally occurring salicylates have the same effects on preeclampsia development and placental angiogenesis as aspirin. To answer these questions we plan to carry out a human study with pregnant women. Due to the above the planned research aims to determine the association between maternal dietary intake of salicylates and placental angiogenesis and the risk of preeclampsia development. Although PE remains an incurable disease, the results of this project will enable the development of dietary recommendations for the prevention and treatment of preeclampsia. Moreover, the results of this study may be useful in lowering the cost of maternal and fetal complications from preeclampsia and the cost of their hospitalization.

Investigation of the Role of Internal Jugular Vein Collapsibility Index in Predicting Spinal Anesthesia-Induced Hypotension in Preeclamptic Parturients

This prospective, single-center observational study aims to evaluate the predictive value of the internal jugular vein collapsibility index (IJVCI) for spinal anesthesia-associated hypotension in preeclamptic parturients (gestational age ≥28 weeks) undergoing cesarean delivery classified as Lucas category 3-4. Preoperative IJVCI will be measured using ultrasonography before spinal anesthesia during spontaneous and deep respiration. The incidence of hypotension within the first 20 minutes after spinal anesthesia will be recorded. The diagnostic performance of IJVCI in predicting hypotension will be analyzed.