The Study of Cardiovascular Outcomes in Women With Preeclampsia Using Echocardiography: The SCOPE Study
The Study of Cardiovascular Outcomes in Women With Preeclampsia Using Echocardiography: The SCOPE Study
This study will evaluate the differences in cardiovascular parameters between women with
 severe preterm preeclampsia and those without preeclampsia using echocardiography and
 maternal blood. The investigators will also look at associations of abnormal cardiovascular
 findings and immediate complications among a high risk cohort of pregnant African American
 women.
This will be a prospective cohort study. Exposed cases will be admitted to the inpatient
 obstetrical unit (labor & delivery or antepartum unit) at the Hospital of the University of
 Pennsylvania with concern for severe preterm preeclampsia. Unexposed controls will be matched
 by gestational age and other clinical factors and will be obtained from the outpatient
 setting (Helen O Dickens clinic or Penn ObGyn Associates at 3701 Market Street). The
 investigators will compare cardiovascular risk factors between these two groups.
Exposed cases:

 Inclusion Criteria:

 -  African American women who are admitted to the obstetrical unit with a concern for
 severe preeclampsia. Patients must be preterm (23-36 6/7 weeks) with a live singleton
 gestation and at least 18 years old. Women will baseline chronic hypertension and
 women on magnesium will be included.

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Non-African American women, and African women with concern for severe preeclampsia who
 are admitted 23 weeks or 37 weeks. Women in labor will be excluded. Women with
 preexisting cardiovascular disease and women who are current smokers will be excluded.

 Unexposed controls:

 Inclusion Criteria:

 -  African American women obtaining prenatal care in our outpatient setting who meet
 matching criteria as noted above.

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Non-African American women and women who are not receiving care at our institution.

 -  All women who do not speak English and who are unable to be consented will be
 excluded.