The evaluation of ventricular functions by speckle tracking echocardiography in preeclamptic patients

AbstractPreeclampsia is a maternal disorder of pregnancy characterized by concomitant increase in preload and afterload with end organ dysfunction. The aim of our study is to evaluate left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) functions with speckle tracking echocardiography in preeclamptic patients. Fifty-five preeclamptic (mean age: 30.7  ± 5.9 years) and 35 healthy pregnant women (mean age: 28.8 ± 5.7 years) of the same race, similar age and gestational week were consecutively included. The diagnosis of preeclampsia was based on the criteria proposed by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. LV and RV fu nctions were assessed by both conventional and speckle tracking echocardiography after the 30th gestational week and at the postpartum 6th months. The preeclamptic patients had significantly larger left atrium, thicker interventricular septum, higher systolic pulmonary artery pressure and mitral E/e ′ ratio compared to controls during pregnancy while LV ejection fraction was similar. Preeclamptic patients had significantly lower LV and RV global longitudinal strain (GLS) during pregnancy compared to controls (− 18.0 ± 2.6% vs. − 19.8 ± 2.1% p = 0.001 and − 26.7 ±  3.3% vs. 28.9 ± 3.3% p = 0.002, respectively). In the postpartum period, while LVGLS values of preeclamptic patients increased significantly (− 18.0 ± 2.6% vs. − 20.4 ± 2.4% p <  0.001) and became similar to those...
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - Category: Radiology Source Type: research