Multiparametric Assessment of Maternal Vascular Function in the Prediction of Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy

The present study is a single-centre prospective study that will enrol pregnant women during their first trimester of pregnancy (11+0 - 13+6 weeks of gestation). During pregnancy, women will undergo standard clinical evaluation and management. During the two study visits (enrollment and 24+0 - 27+6 weeks of gestation) the investigators will perform arterial tonometry (Pulsepen) and in vivo darkfield microscopy (Glycocheck) to evaluate endothelial and vascular function. A urine sample and a blood sample for specific study analyses on metabolic profile, endothelial and angiogenic markers will be collected. Pregnancy outcomes will be collected at delivery and five years after delivery all the participants will be interview to collect long-term cardiovascular outcomes. Serum endothelial and angiogenic markers will be evaluated only in participants who will develop hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and in an equal number of controls matched for age and body mass index at the time of conception.