Bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is crucial for survival after cardiac arrest but not performed in most cases. New, low-cost, and easily accessible training methods, such as virtual reality (VR), may reach broader target populations, but data on achieved CPR skills are lacking. OBJECTIVE To compare CPR quality between VR and face-to-face CPR training. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Randomized noninferiority trial with a prospective randomized open blinded end point design. Participants were adult attendees from the science section of the Lowlands Music Festival (August 16 to 18, 2019) in the Netherlands. Analysis began September 2019. INTERVENTIONS Two standardized 20-minute protocols on CPR and automated external defibrillator use: instructor-led face-to-face training or VR training using a smartphone app endorsed by the Resuscitation Council (United Kingdom). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURESDuring a standardized CPR scenario following the training, we assessed the primary outcome CPR quality, measured as chest compression depth and rate using CPR manikins. Overall CPR performance was assessed by examiners, blinded for study groups, using a European Resuscitation Council-endorsed checklist (maximum score, 13). Additional secondary outcomes were chest compression fraction, proportions of participants with mean depth (50 mm-60 mm) or rate (100 min −1 -120 min −1 ) within guideline ranges, and proportions compressions with full release. RESULTS A total of 381 participants were randomized: 216 women (57%); median (interquartile range [IQR]) age, 26 (22-31) years. The VR app (n = 190 [49.9%]) was inferior to face-to-face training (n = 191 [50.1%]) for chest compression depth (mean [SD], VR: 49 [10] mm vs face to face: 57 [5] mm; mean [95% CI] difference, −8 [−9 to −6] mm), and noninferior for chest compression rate (mean [SD]: VR: 114 [12] min −1 vs face to face: 109 [12] min −1 ; mean [95% CI] difference, 6 [3 to 8] min −1 ). The VR group had lower overall CPR performance scores (median [IQR], 10 [8-12] vs 12 [12-13]; P < .001). Chest compression fraction (median [IQR], 61% [52%-66%] vs 67% [62%-71%]; P < .001) and proportions of participants fulfilling depth (51% [n = 89] vs 75% [n = 133], P < .001) and rate (50% [n = 87] vs 63% [n = 111], P = .01) requirements were also lower in the VR group. The proportion of compressions with full release was higher in the VR group (median [IQR], 98% [59%-100%] vs 88% [55%-99%]; P = .002). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this randomized noninferiority trial, VR training resulted in comparable chest compression rate but inferior compression depth compared with face-to-face training. Given the potential of VR training to reach a larger target population, further development is needed to achieve the compression depth and overall CPR skills acquired by face-to-face training.

Purpose of Review Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in women worldwide. Preeclampsia (PE) is an important and acknowledged female-specific risk factor. Women with a history of PE have an elevated risk to develop hypertension in the decade following their index pregnancy. In this paper, we aim to provide recent insights in the future risk of preeclampsia and describe how prevention strategies can be optimized. Recent Findings The development of premature hypertension is caused by multiple factors such as genetics and a persistent enhanced inflammatory state after PE. Systemic inflammation accelerates endothelial dysfunction and promotes the process of atherosclerosis. In formerly preeclamptic women, signs of subclinical atherosclerosis are present at young age. Timely cardiovascular screening after PE is recommended; however, the how and when are yet to be determined. Given the large impact of a previous preeclamptic pregnancy on cardiovascular risk, the question arises whether we should not intensify secondary prevention in these high-risk women. Summary Obstetric history can provide useful information about CVD risk in women after their reproductive life, especially if they had a pregnancy complicated by preeclampsia. Early detection of hypertension could optimize prevention and treatment strategies and mitigate CVD risk. For high-risk women, preeclampsia may be considered a first cardiovascular event that requires secondary prevention according to guidelines.

Background Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), such as preeclampsia (PE) or the Hemolysis Elevated Liver enzymes and Low Platelets (HELLP) syndrome are associated with elevated cardiovascular disease (CVD) risks, but standardized prevention guidelines after such pregnancies are lacking. Hypertension is the first emerging risk factor after PE/HELLP pregnancies and is a major risk factor for CVD. Hypertension before the age of 55 years may lead to various manifestations of end-organ damage at relatively young age. Therefore, timely treatment of elevated blood pressure is mandatory, but many of these high-risk women have long-term undetected and untreated hypertension before adequate treatment is initiated. Aim The aim of our study is to assess whether home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) in women with a previous PE/HELLP pregnancy is a valuable tool for the early detection of hypertension. Methods Women with a history of both early and late PE/HELLP syndrome aged 40–60 years are invited to participate. Patients with a history of CVD, known hypertension and/or use of antihypertensive medication are excluded. Women are randomized between HPBM or ‘usual care’. The primary outcome is feasibility and usability of HBPM after 1 year of follow-up. Secondary outcomes will be the effectiveness of HPBM to detect hypertension, the efficacy of BP treatment, quality of life, health-related symptoms, work ability, and life-style behaviour. The results of this study will provide better strategies for timely detection and prevention of hypertension in women after PE/HELLP. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03228082. Registered June 15, 2017.

Objective: Preeclampsia is associated with an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease later in life. Women with a history of preeclampsia are at risk of developing hypertension as well as ischemic heart disease. Identification of women at the highest risk is important to initiate preventive strategies. We investigated whether high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) levels are associated with a history of early-onset preeclampsia, and with hypertension in these high-risk women. Methods: Approximately 9–10 years after pregnancy, hs-cTnI levels were measured for 339 women of the Preeclampsia Risk Evaluation in FEMales cohort, consisting of 177 women with a history of early-onset preeclampsia and 162 women with a previous uncomplicated index pregnancy. Associations were analyzed using several statistical tests and linear regression analysis. Results: The median hs-cTnI levels (IQR) were 2.50 ng/l (2.30) in women with a history of early-onset preeclampsia and 2.35 ng/l (2.50) in women without a history of preeclampsia, P = 0.53. Among women with a history of early-onset preeclampsia, the hs-cTnI levels were higher in women who were hypertensive compared with their normotensive counterparts (medians 2.60 versus 2.30; P  = 0.03). In addition, blood pressure levels increased with increasing hs-cTnI levels. Conclusion: We did not find a difference in hs-cTnI levels between women with and without a history of early-onset preeclampsia. Nonetheless, hs-cTnI levels were statistically significantly higher in current hypertensive women with a history of preeclampsia compared with their normotensive counterparts. Therefore, hs-cTnI levels might improve risk prediction for women at the highest risk of cardiovascular disease.

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