Jasmine Kiley

PhD thesis: Pregnancy in women with cardiovascular disease: new insights into risk stratification, management, and outcomes

My PhD aims to inform individualized care for pregnant women with cardiovascular conditions. Cardiac conditions are now the leading cause of maternal mortality in high-income countries, and the prevalence of both pre-existing and newly acquired cardiac conditions is increasing. However, there is a paucity of knowledge surrounding best practices for caring for these patients, underscoring the urgent need for cardio-obstetrics research.

I am investigating qualitative and quantitative aspects of cardio-obstetric care through establishment and analysis of local, national, and international clinical datasets. My research explores how patient–provider concordance affects clinical experiences and outcomes and assesses whether changes in exercise tolerance during pregnancy can predict adverse outcomes. Further, I am interrogating the bidirectional relationship of cardiac disease’s influence on pregnancy and vice versa. These findings will shed light on how best to risk assess and manage cardiovascular disease in pregnancy to prevent maternal and fetal complications.

Who or what inspired you to pursue your research interests?

Throughout history, medical research has focused virtually exclusively on the “normal” male body at the expense of understanding how diseases and treatments impact female anatomy and physiology. This has implications on treatment efficacy, clinical outcomes, patient experiences, and more. My research and overarching career goals as an aspiring clinician scientist center on addressing gender disparities in medical care and serving as an advocate for women patients. Through my work in vaginal and uterine biomechanics, endometriosis diagnosis, and now cardio-obstetrics, I remain committed to advancing the state of women’s health both clinically and scientifically.