Maternal Health

Early Detection & Precision Intervention of Preeclampsia

with Digital Vascular Biomarkers

Fast Facts
Maternal Health

3.2X

higher cost multiple for preeclampsia compared to uncomplicated pregnancy.1 

Maternal Health

81%

Percentage of deliveries in 2019 (US) had 1 or more moderate risks for preeclampsia.2

Maternal Health

75%

Percentage of pregnant women at increased risk of preeclampsia do not take aspirin as prescribed.3

Preeclampsia and Arterial Stiffening Go Hand-in-Hand

  • Werlang, Paquin, and Coutinho

    Having had preeclampsia added ~6 years to the vascular age of affected women and early vascular aging was significantly more likely to be present in women with severe preeclampsia than in nonsevere preeclampsia or controls.

    Werlang, Paquin, and Coutinho
    Journal of American Heart Association, 2023
  • Turi et al

    Before gestational hypertension sets in… early alterations can be detected through arterial stiffness parameters’ measurements, such as pulse wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index (AIx).

    Turi et al
    Diagnostics, 2022
  • Osman et al

    A meta-analysis and systematic review of 36 studies found arterial stiffness and waveform reflection measurements consistently increased among pregnant women that developed preeclampsia.

    Osman et al
    Journal of  Hypertension, 2018
  • Phan et al

    Arterial stiffness predicted pre-eclampsia earlier and with greater ability than blood pressure, ultrasound indices or angiogenic biomarkers.

    Phan et al
    BJOG, 2023

Arterial Stiffness in Pregnancy

Arterial stiffness significantly affects hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, which are major causes of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Increased stiffness limits the blood vessels' ability to adapt to pressure changes, raising the risk of hypertension. This condition can lead to severe complications during pregnancy, such as preeclampsia, which accelerates vascular aging and can cause organ damage.

Research Highlights

Improve Pregnancy Outcomes

Vascular biomarkers play a pivotal role in the early detection and management of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Elevated biomarker measurements can predict the onset of hypertensive conditions like preeclampsia, allowing for earlier intervention and potentially reducing adverse outcomes for both mother and child. By integrating vascular biomarkers into prenatal care protocols, healthcare providers can more effectively monitor and manage the vascular changes associated with pregnancy-induced hypertension.

Utility of Vascular Biomarkers in Maternal Health

  • Marozio et al

    In a study of 1,600 pregnant women, central blood pressure was found to be the best predictor for the later development of preeclampsia, while brachial blood pressure was not.

    Marozio et al
    Journal of Hypertension, 2019
  • Fullerton et al

    "A one-point higher AIX was associated with 0.3-day reduced time-to-delivery. AIx is associated with time-to-delivery and other outcomes in pregnancy."

    Fullerton et al
    Hypertension in Pregnancy, 2014
  • Katsipi et al

    Compared to traditional diagnostic markers for preeclampsia, pulse wave velocity has shown to be a superior marker, demonstrating a detection rate of 81% for all cases and 82% for early-onset, at a fixed 10% false-positive rate.

    Katsipi et al
    Hypertension Research, 2014
  • Phan et al

    Vascular alteration can be detected in the second trimester. Pulse wave velocity changepoint was detected at 14-17 weeks and augmentation index increased at 18-21 weeks in women went on to develop preeclampsia.

    Phan et al
    Metabolism, 2021
  • Belmar Vega et al

    Postpartum women who have had severe preeclampsia have more pronounced arterial stiffness parameters including pulse wave velocity, augmentation index, central systolic pressure, and pulse pressure amplification

    Belmar Vega et al
    Nefrologia, 2024

Enhance Prenatal Care with Vascular Biomarkers

Download Reimbursement Guide

In-Clinic

  • Assess preeclampsia risk at 1st visit & initiate home monitoring for high-risk patients.
  • Surveillance during regular visits through 6-wk postpartum visit.
  • Reimbursable with CPT 93050.

At Home

  • Ongoing monitoring to detect alterations in arterial functions and structure.
  • Reinforce aspirin regimen.
  • Reimbursable with CPT 9945x & 99091.

1 Hao J, Hassen D, Hao Q, Graham J, Paglia MJ, Brown J, Cooper M, Schlieder V, Snyder SR. Maternal and Infant Health Care Costs Related to Preeclampsia. Obstet Gynecol. 2019 Dec;134(6):1227-1233. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000003581. PMID: 31764733; PMCID: PMC6882523.

2 CDC Natality Database

3 Vinogradov R, Smith VJ, Robson SC, Araujo-Soares V. Aspirin non-adherence in pregnant women at risk of preeclampsia (ANA): a qualitative study. Health Psychol Behav Med. 2021;9(1):681-700. Published 2021 Aug 6. doi:10.1080/21642850.2021.1951273