UCSF Expands Arrhythmia Research with Vivalink's Biometrics Data Platform in Study to Examine Arrhythmias in High-Risk Pregnancies

Vivalink Press Release

BRITE-MOM study uses Vivalink's wearable devices and data platform to examine arrhythmias in high-risk pregnancies

CAMPBELL, Calif., April 22, 2025 -- Vivalink, a leading provider of digital healthcare solutions, is supporting a research initiative at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) to better understand how pregnancy impacts heart health.

As part of the university's BRITE-MOM study, researchers are using Vivalink's wearable ECG devices and data platform to continuously monitor heart rhythms in pregnant and postpartum women, including those with congenital heart disease (CHD) and pre-eclampsia. By enabling continuous, real-world cardiac monitoring throughout pregnancy and six months after delivery, the study aims to uncover arrhythmia patterns that may guide early detection, clinical intervention, and long-term cardiovascular care for high-risk individuals.

"Women with congenital heart disease and pre-eclampsia face a significantly elevated risk of arrhythmia during pregnancy, yet data on how and when these arrhythmias occur remain limited," said Nicky Herrick, MD, co-principal investigator of the study and a cardiology fellow at UCSF. "Our goal is to generate a detailed picture of the types, frequency, and symptoms of arrhythmias in pregnancy using wearable technology that allows us to monitor participants safely and remotely."

As cardiac complications during pregnancy rise, so does maternal mortality, which reached  32.9 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2021. The increase has raised questions about how cardiovascular health impacts maternal outcomes. Understanding what contributes to rising cardiac complications in pregnancy could help physicians better predict heart arrhythmias and preserve their patients' cardiovascular health.

"We are excited to bring longitudinal ECG data into maternal cardiovascular research," said Anushree Agarwal, MD, UCSF cardiologist and co-principal investigator. "By incorporating wearable devices for long-term use, we are able to better capture arrhythmia episodes and early signs of cardiac stress that could otherwise go undetected."

The study is enrolling pregnant participants, including those with a history of congenital heart disease and pre-eclampsia, which elevate the risk of arrhythmias and other cardiovascular complications. Using Vivalink's wearable ECG sensor and cloud data services, researchers will capture real-time continuous data from participants throughout pregnancy and six months postpartum. They will track heart rate variability, arrhythmia episodes, and early indicators of cardiac stress.

For more information about Vivalink's solutions, visit www.vivalink.com. If you are interested in enrolling in this study, please contact Dr. Nicky Herrick at BRITE-MOM@ucsf.edu.

About Vivalink
Vivalink is a provider of digital healthcare solutions for remote patient monitoring in healthcare and clinical trials. By combining medical wearables, advanced algorithms, and clinical applications, we provide a more effective and accessible approach to patient care worldwide.

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The information stated above was prepared by Vivalink to report on research conducted on its product and reflects solely the opinion of Vivalink. Nothing in this statement shall be construed to imply any support or endorsement of Vivalink, or any of its products, by The Regents of the University of California, its officers, agents and employees.