4-Dimensional Ultrasound Assessment of Cardiac Remodeling During Pregnancy with Multiple Gestations and Back-to-back Pregnancies DUIRI - Discovery Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Research Internship Summer 2023 Accepted Global Health, Cardiovascular Disease, Maternal Health, Women Significant cardiovascular changes occur in pregnancy: blood volume increases 50%, stroke volume and cardiac output increase, and the heart muscle physically remodels to accommodate the increased metabolic demands of growing a child. Previous work has suggested that complications of pregnancy are often associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, further complicating the long-lasting effects of pregnancy. Here, we aim to understand how back-to-back pregnancies and multiple gestations (i.e. litter size in mice) effect cardiovascular remodeling and if these changes could be attributed to altered risk of cardiovascular diseases. Four-dimensional ultrasound scans of the heart are acquired at several timepoints throughout gestation and post-partum. These scans will be used to quantify left ventricular geometry and function during each initial and subsequent pregnancy, and postpartum. Image analysis of the ultrasound scans will be performed using a custom MATLAB GUI. We will assess potential differences in cardiovascular remodeling with back-to-back pregnancies and with litter size during the initial pregnancy. Analysis of the cardiac scans will provide information relating to the left ventricle volume, ejection fraction, and LV wall thickness. These metrics will provide conclusions and recommendations for further research in this area. Craig J Goergen Natalia Maria Rodriguez The intern will acquire three- and four-dimensional ultrasound datasets, use software to create geometric models or renderings of the heart, and analyze two-, three-, and four- dimensional changes in the images and geometric models. The intern will work directly with mice, collecting images, taking blood pressure data, and euthanizing the animals at the appropriate timepoints. Experience working with animals or previous research experience is strongly preferred. Applicant should have a good understanding of cardiovascular anatomy. A basic understanding of ultrasound physics or the physics of waves is recommended. 0 40 (estimated)

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