R01HL148191

Aspirin to Prevent Cardiac Dysfunction in Preeclampsia - Abstract

Preeclampsia (PE) is a disease of late pregnancy characterized by hypertension and organ damage, which not only increases peripartum morbidity but is associated with the postpartum development of heart failure, including myocardial fibrosis and systolic heart failure.

Despite two decades of research demonstrating this association and a large public health burden, the molecular mechanisms mediating PE-induced postpartum heart failure remain poorly understood, and therapies to prevent this outcome are lacking.

One potential trigger may be the profibrotic growth factor activin A, a member of the transforming growth factor beta family produced by the placenta and inflammatory cells.

Using a randomized mechanistic clinical trial of aspirin vs. placebo for patients with preeclampsia, integrated with studies of the mechanisms by which aspirin and activin A might affect the heart, we will dramatically advance knowledge of cardiac dysfunction in preeclampsia and its possible treatments.

We pursue two specific aims to answer these questions. Aim 1 is a randomized trial to test whether aspirin improves cardiac function and decreases activin A in women with preeclampsia. Aim 2 identifies how increased plasma activin A during pregnancy causes postpartum cardiac dysfunction and how aspirin prevents it.

This project innovates methodologically and at the bench in order to dramatically advance our understanding of a major cause of morbidity and mortality in women globally.

University Of Chicago

TO FOSTER HEART AND VASCULAR RESEARCH IN THE BASIC, TRANSLATIONAL, CLINICAL AND POPULATION SCIENCES, AND TO FOSTER TRAINING TO BUILD TALENTED YOUNG INVESTIGATORS IN THESE AREAS, FUNDED THROUGH COMPETITIVE RESEARCH TRAINING GRANTS. SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR) PROGRAM: TO STIMULATE TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION, USE SMALL BUSINESS TO MEET FEDERAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT NEEDS, FOSTER AND ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION IN INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP BY SOCIALLY AND ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED PERSONS, AND INCREASE PRIVATE-SECTOR COMMERCIALIZATION OF INNOVATIONS DERIVED FROM FEDERAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FUNDING. SMALL BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER (STTR) PROGRAM: TO STIMULATE TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION, FOSTER TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER THROUGH COOPERATIVE R&D BETWEEN SMALL BUSINESSES AND RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS, AND INCREASE PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIALIZATION OF INNOVATIONS DERIVED FROM FEDERAL R&D.

93.837 - Cardiovascular Diseases Research

National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) [HHS - NIH]

Illinois United States

State-Wide

Research Project Grant (Parent R01 Clinical Trial Required) (PA-19-055)

Amendment Since initial award the End Date has been extended from 12/31/25 to 12/31/26 and the total obligations have increased 451% from $682,510 to $3,760,353.