• H Z Ling, P G Jara, A Bisquera, L C Poon, K H Nicolaides, and N A Kametas.
• Fetal Medicine Research Institute, King's College London, London, UK.
• BJOG. 2020 Jul 1; 127 (8): 1018-1025.

ObjectiveTo compare maternal haemodynamics in women at low and high risk for preterm pre-eclampsia (PE), and between those at high risk who are randomised to aspirin or placebo.DesignProspective, longitudinal observational study.SettingMaternity units in six UK hospitals.PopulationWomen participating in the Aspirin for Prevention of Preterm Pre-eclampsia (ASPRE) trial. The population comprised three groups of women: low risk for preterm PE (n = 1362), high risk for preterm PE treated with aspirin (n = 208) and high risk for preterm PE on placebo (n = 220).MethodsWomen had four visits during pregnancy: 11-14, 19-24, 30-34, and 35-37 weeks' gestation. Blood pressure was measured with a device validated for pregnancy, and PE and maternal haemodynamics were assessed with a bioreactance monitor at each visit. A multilevel linear mixed-effects analysis was performed to examine longitudinal changes of maternal haemodynamic variables, controlling for demographic characteristics, past medical history and medication use.Main Outcome MeasuresLongitudinal changes of cardiac output (CO), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and peripheral vascular resistance (PVR).ResultsThe low-risk group demonstrated the expected changes with an increase in CO and reduction in MAP and PVR, with a quadratic change across gestation. In contrast, the high-risk groups had a declining CO, and higher MAP and PVR during pregnancy. The administration of aspirin did not appear to affect maternal haemodynamics.ConclusionsWomen screened as high risk for preterm PE have a pathological cardiac adaptation to pregnancy and the prophylactic use of aspirin (150 mg oral daily from the first trimester) in this group may not alter this haemodynamic profile.Tweetable AbstractIn women at high risk of pre-eclampsia, prophylactic use of aspirin may not alter the impaired maternal cardiac adaptation.© 2020 Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

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