New USCOM Evidence for Pre-eclampsia

New evidence supports USCOM 1A screening and improved outcomes during pregnancy

Uscom has announced the publication of two new peer reviewed papers confirming the effectiveness of USCOM 1A for diagnosing pre-eclampsia and guiding hypertensive therapy in pregnancy. The publications were in the prestigious Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynaecology and authored by obstetrics and gynaecology specialists and researchers from the University of Rome, Rome, the Policlinico, Rome, and the St George’s Hospital, London.

Key Points
  • Pre-eclampsia, or high blood pressure in pregnancy, is a common complication which increases mortality and morbidity for pregnant mothers and their unborn babies
  • An estimated 10million pregnant women develop pre-eclampsia every year, and early detection and appropriate treatment improves outcomes for mothers and babies
  • Pre-eclampsia is responsible for approximately 76,000 maternal and 500,000 foetal and neonatal deaths each year (more than 200 and 1300 per day respectively) – (World Health Organization)
  • The 1st study demonstrates that USCOM 1A measured abnormal maternal circulation is associated with an 8-10 fold increase in risk of complications at delivery
  • The 2nd study demonstrates that intrauterine foetal growth restriction (IUGR) and its maternal and foetal complications can be improved by USCOM 1A guided treatment of maternal circulation

Professor Valensise and his team from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Rome Tor Vergata and Professor Khalil and her group at St George’s Hospital London have been using and researching the USCOM 1A in pregnancy for pre-eclampsia for over 3 years.

Executive Chairman of Uscom, Associate Professor Rob Phillips said, “Science is value for Uscom shareholders and this science provides us with a new revenue platform as our business continues rapid growth of the back of important scientific achievement. These data demonstrate that the use of USCOM in pregnancy can improve maternal and foetal outcomes in pregnancy, and support USCOM 1A use as a routine screening monitor of maternal hemodynamics, from the initial examination up to, and during, delivery and should be considered as a standard of care for monitoring pregnancy.”


Maternal health is an emerging USCOM 1A application with a number of leading centres globally researching pre-eclampsia using the USCOM 1A. These publications will support USCOM 1A adoption in this field and contribute to further growth of USCOM 1A revenues.

Study details

The first study, “Maternal cardiac output in early labour: a possible link with obstetrics risks?“, demonstrates that USCOM 1A measured changes in maternal circulation are associated with an 8-10 fold increased risk of maternal and foetal distress and maternal complications in otherwise low risk pregnant women. The study concluded that “(USCOM measures) can be used not only as a screening tool in the early identification of patients at high risk of hypertensive complications, but also in the evaluation of pregnancy at term in the absence of known risk factors,”

In the second study, “Nitric oxide (NO) donors and haemodynamic changes in fetal growth restriction”, 26 pregnant females with diagnosis of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) with 30 week gestational age foetuses, were enrolled. Their hemodynamics were monitored with USCOM 1A during treatment with transdermal nitric oxide donors (glycerine trinitrate). Nitric oxide acts on the placental to dilate the placental vessels and ensure adequate perfusion and oxygen supply to the growing foetus to ensure optimal development. The hemodynamics from these patients were then compared to an untreated, case matched, 26 patient cohort. The mothers with IUGR and NO donor treatment had significantly improved USCOM measured maternal hemodynamics, and had babies with significantly increased birth weight. The study concluded “……our results might open new perspectives in the treatment of fetal growth restriction, focusing on main maternal cardiovascular anomalies.”

References
  • Valensise H, Tiralongo GM, Pisani D, Farsetti D, LoPresti D, Gagliardi G, Basile RM, Novelii GP, Vasapollo B. Maternal cardiac output in early labour: a possible link with obstetrics risks? Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2017 Mar 10. doi: 10.1002/uog.17447
  • Tiralongo, G., Pisani, I., Vasapollo, B., Khalil, A., Thilaganathan, B. and Valensise, H. Nitric oxide (NO) donors and haemodynamic changes in fetal growth restriction. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2017 doi:10.1002/uog.17454
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