The Study of Cardiovascular Outcomes in Women With Preeclampsia Using Echocardiography: The SCOPE Study

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.