Incremental prognostic value of global left atrial peak strain in women with new-onset gestational hypertension

Background: Left atrial strain and strain rate parameters, measured by bidimensional-speckle tracking echocardiography, have been proposed as predictors of atrial fibrillation, stroke, congestive heart failure and cardiovascular death. However, they have not yet been tested in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic role of global left atrial peak strain (GLAPS) in a population of pregnant women with new-onset hypertension in a medium-term follow-up. Methods: Twenty-seven consecutive women with new-onset hypertension after 20 weeks pregnancy and 23 age-matched, race-matched and gestational week-matched consecutive normotensive pregnant women were enrolled in this prospective study. All participants underwent a complete echocardiographic study with bidimensional-speckle tracking echocardiography and carotid examination. At 1-year follow-up, we evaluated the occurrence of persistent hypertension. Results: In comparison with normotensive women, those hypertensive had a higher burden of cardiovascular risk factors, similar left atrial volume indexed (P = 0.14), but severely impaired left atrial strain (P 
Source: Journal of Hypertension - Category: Cardiology Tags: ORIGINAL PAPERS: Organ damage Source Type: research