Vascular Function in Women and Children Following a Pregnancy Complicated by Preeclampsia
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Authors
Barr, Logan
Date
Type
thesis
Language
eng
Keyword
preeclampsia , pregnancy , postpartum , vascular , endothelium
Alternative Title
Abstract
Preeclampsia is a severe hypertensive complication of pregnancy that poses significant maternal and fetal risk. Evidence suggests that preeclampsia is linked to later-life cardiovascular disease development in both mother and offspring. However, the mechanisms responsible for this phenomenon have not been determined, nor how they can be ameliorated. Non-invasive vascular assessment allows for the evaluation of subclinical indicators of cardiovascular risk.
Herein we describe a series of studies which were undertaken to measure postpartum and offspring vascular functional alterations associated with preeclampsia in pregnancy and to improve the accuracy and clinical applicability of laser perfusion imaging. Our studies of postpartum women reveal that those with prior severe preeclampsia display heightened microvascular endothelium-dependent and -independent vasodilation and exhibit higher carotid stiffness compared to women with mild or no disease. In a small trial of offspring born to preeclamptic pregnancies, microvascular function does not appear to differ from uncomplicated counterparts, though recovery of perfusion after occlusion appears to occur faster. Finally, we describe the novel application of a computer vision modality to enable frame-by-frame segmentation of participant movement during a trial. Importantly, we demonstrate that a computer vision modality makes similar predictions to an experienced human rater in a fraction of the time.
In short, the present data add to the growing understanding of postpartum mechanisms associated with preeclampsia which may predispose women to future disease, and the broad applications of perfusion imaging as a tool for measurement and disease surveillance.
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Queen's University's Thesis/Dissertation Non-Exclusive License for Deposit to QSpace and Library and Archives Canada
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This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner.
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States
ProQuest PhD and Master's Theses International Dissemination Agreement
Intellectual Property Guidelines at Queen's University
Copying and Preserving Your Thesis
This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner.
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States