What are some good capstone project ideas related to preeclampsia?

Capstone Project Ideas for Preeclampsia

Based on the most recent guidelines and identified research gaps, here are high-impact capstone project ideas that address critical unmet needs in preeclampsia care:

Implementation Science & Health Equity Projects

1. Developing and Testing Culturally-Adapted Patient Education Tools

• Create multilingual, literacy-appropriate educational materials (pamphlets, videos, mobile apps) for diverse populations at risk for preeclampsia, building on evidence that such tools increase knowledge without raising anxiety 1
• Test implementation outcomes across race and ethnicity to address the documented disparities where Black women face disproportionate morbidity and mortality from hypertensive disorders 2
• Measure outcomes: patient knowledge scores, aspirin adherence rates, blood pressure control, and patient satisfaction using validated instruments 1
• Common pitfall to avoid: Generic materials fail in low-literacy or non-English speaking populations; ensure materials are validated by community members and tested at appropriate reading levels 2

2. Remote Blood Pressure Monitoring Program for High-Risk Postpartum Women

• Design a telehealth intervention for the critical 3-month postpartum period when 75% increased cardiovascular mortality risk begins to manifest 3
• Target population: Women with recent preeclampsia who face barriers to in-person follow-up 2
• Intervention components: Home BP monitors, mobile app for data transmission, automated alerts for severe hypertension, and virtual nurse visits 2
• Primary outcome: Proportion of women completing the mandatory 3-month postpartum cardiovascular screening (currently a major gap in care) 3
• Note: While remote monitoring shows promise, recognize that internet and device access is not equitably distributed 2

3. Screening and Intervention for Social Determinants of Health in Preeclampsia

• Develop actionable protocols for managing non-medical risk factors identified through social determinants screening, addressing the gap where screening is common but management tools are lacking 2
• Partner with community organizations to ensure access to resources (food security, transportation, housing stability) for high-risk pregnant individuals 2
• Measure: Aspirin adherence, prenatal visit attendance, blood pressure control, and preterm birth rates in intervention vs. control groups 4

Clinical Prediction & Prevention Projects

4. Validating Multivariable Preeclampsia Risk Algorithms in Your Local Population

• Test existing prediction models (incorporating clinical factors, biomarkers like sFlt-1/PlGF ratio, and first-trimester screening) in your institution's diverse patient population 2, 5
• Focus on early identification (before 16 weeks) to optimize aspirin prophylaxis timing, as aspirin should ideally start before 16 weeks and not after 20 weeks 6
• Outcome: Sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value for preterm preeclampsia requiring delivery before 37 weeks 2
• Critical consideration: Current algorithms may underperform in populations with different baseline risk profiles; validation in diverse cohorts is essential 2

5. Aspirin Adherence Intervention Study

• Design a behavioral intervention to improve adherence to low-dose aspirin (100-160 mg daily) in women with history of vascular-placental disease 6
• Intervention: Pill organizers, text message reminders, motivational interviewing, and education about the 24% reduction in preeclampsia risk 3
• Measure: Aspirin metabolite levels in urine, self-reported adherence, and clinical outcomes (preeclampsia incidence, gestational age at delivery) 4
• Target the right population: Women with prior preeclampsia, chronic hypertension, or diabetes—not general population where evidence is insufficient 6

Long-Term Cardiovascular Health Projects

6. Cardiovascular Risk Reduction Program for Women with Preeclampsia History

• Create a structured 12-month postpartum program addressing the 2.7-fold increased cardiovascular disease risk and 75% increased cardiovascular mortality 3
• Components: Return to pre-pregnancy weight by 12 months, aerobic exercise prescription, lipid and glucose screening at 3 months, blood pressure monitoring, and statin consideration when appropriate 3
• Outcome measures: Weight loss, blood pressure normalization, lipid profile improvement, and patient engagement in annual lifelong follow-up 3
• Address the knowledge gap: Most patients and clinicians remain unaware of these long-term risks 2

7. Offspring Neurodevelopmental Screening Protocol

• Develop a screening program for children exposed to preeclampsia in utero, given epidemiologic links to cardiovascular and neurodevelopmental pathology 2
• Collaborate with pediatrics to track blood pressure, BMI, and developmental milestones through childhood 2
• Research question: Can early identification and intervention mitigate long-term offspring complications? 2

Quality Improvement & Bundle Implementation

8. Severe Hypertension Treatment Bundle Implementation

• Implement and audit the standardized severe hypertension bundle (IV labetalol, oral nifedipine, or IV hydralazine for BP ≥160/110 mmHg) 2
• Measure: Time from severe hypertension recognition to treatment initiation, maternal stroke rates, and ICU admissions 2
• Investigate implementation outcomes across race and ethnicity to identify and address disparities in bundle adherence 2
• Common pitfall: Bundles may not be sustained during public health emergencies or competing priorities; build resilience into your implementation plan 2

9. Magnesium Sulfate Prophylaxis Protocol Optimization

• Audit current practice for magnesium sulfate administration for eclampsia prevention, noting that indications remain tied to "severe" preeclampsia definitions that lack uniformity 2
• Develop institution-specific criteria based on the most recent evidence for when to initiate prophylaxis 2
• Outcome: Eclamptic seizure rates, magnesium toxicity events, and protocol adherence 2

Biomarker & Diagnostic Innovation Projects

10. sFlt-1/PlGF Ratio Clinical Utility Study

• Implement the NICE-recommended sFlt-1/PlGF ratio (or Triage PlGF test) for women with suspected preeclampsia between 20-34+6 weeks 5
• Measure: Ability to rule out preeclampsia requiring delivery within 7-14 days (ratio ≥85 has 74% sensitivity, 97% specificity for adverse outcomes) 3, 5
• Cost-effectiveness analysis: Balance costs against potential reduction in unnecessary interventions from false-positive clinical diagnoses 5
• Note: ISSHP does not recommend routine biomarker use as rule-out tests, so focus on the specific NICE-endorsed indication 5

11. Preeclampsia Subtype Classification Project

• Investigate whether early-onset (<34 weeks) vs. late-onset (≥34 weeks) preeclampsia requires different biomarker thresholds or management strategies 5, 7
• Explore Type I (placental dysfunction) vs. Type II (maternal cardiovascular maladaptation) classification using available clinical and laboratory data 8
• Outcome: Develop institution-specific algorithms for tailored prevention and management strategies 2

Interdisciplinary Care & Mental Health Projects

12. Postpartum Mental Health Screening and Intervention

• Screen for depression and PTSD in women with recent preeclampsia, given that 15% have probable depression and 23% endorse PTSD symptoms specific to their pregnancy 2
• Develop referral pathways to mental health services and integrate screening into the mandatory 3-month postpartum visit 3
• Measure: Screening completion rates, treatment engagement, and maternal quality of life scores 2

13. Multidisciplinary Postpartum Transition Clinic

• Create a collaborative clinic involving obstetrics, cardiology, nephrology, and primary care to manage the complex postpartum needs of women with preeclampsia 2, 9
• Address the care gap: Identify which patients are at highest risk of immediate adverse outcomes to better triage and transition follow-up care 2
• Outcome: Rates of persistent hypertension detection, specialist referral completion, and long-term cardiovascular risk factor modification 3

Core Outcome Set Implementation

14. Implementing the International Core Outcome Set for Preeclampsia Research

• Audit your institution's preeclampsia trials or quality improvement projects against the 14 maternal and 8 offspring core outcomes agreed upon by 281 healthcare professionals, 41 researchers, and 110 patients from 56 countries 10
• Maternal outcomes: Death, eclampsia, stroke, cortical blindness, retinal detachment, pulmonary edema, acute kidney injury, liver hematoma/rupture, abruption, postpartum hemorrhage, raised liver enzymes, low platelets, ICU admission, intubation/ventilation 10
• Offspring outcomes: Stillbirth, gestational age at delivery, birthweight, small-for-gestational-age, neonatal mortality, seizures, NICU admission, respiratory support 10
• Impact: Ensure your research holds the necessary reach and relevance to inform clinical practice and improve outcomes 10

---

Key Considerations for All Projects

• Prioritize health equity in every aspect of design, implementation, and evaluation 2
• Include patient and interdisciplinary input at all stages of the research process 2
• Focus on outcomes that matter: morbidity, mortality, and quality of life for both mother and offspring 2
• Address the global context: Interventions must be adaptable for low- and middle-income countries where preeclampsia causes 14% of maternal deaths 2
• Recognize clinical heterogeneity: Preeclampsia is not a single disorder but different pathways converging on a common endpoint 2, 8