12. Right ventricle in gestational hypertension

Abstract

Introduction It is unknown if and how right ventricle changes during gestational hypertension. Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine right ventricle dimensions, systolic and diastolic function changes in gestational hypertension (GH) Methods Study included 60 pregnant women. 35 with GH and 25 normotensives as control. Echocardiography was performed to evaluate right ventricle and atrial size (RV diastolic diameter at the base and mid level, proxymal and distal dimension of outlet tract, RA volume) systolic function (TAPSE, FAC, S′, IVCT, ET, GLS), RV index of myocardial performance (RIMP), and diastolic function (E/A, EDT, E/e’, RAVsI, IVRT) of the right ventricle. Echo was performed in the third trimester and 6 weeks after delivery. Results 1. Participants with GH during pregnancy had normal values of right ventricle and atrial size, systolic function, and diastolic function except E/e’, whose mean value was 6.354+-2.100. 2. Women with GH had larger RA volume (33.66 ± 11.8 vs 24.75 ± 9.1, p 3. Some parameters of diastolic function did differ: E/a was significantly lower in group with hypertension(1,1 ± 0,26 vs 1,4 ± 0,21 p 4. All changed echocardiographic parameters became improved six weeks after delivery, the difference persisted only in s’ (0.119 ± 0.014 vs 1,45 ± 0,021 p Conclusion Right ventricle dimensions are not significantly affected by gestational hypertension. Both systolic and diastolic function of right ventricle changed in gestational hypertension during pregnancy. After delivery, changes were reversible, but only s’ remained lower, as a suggestion of not fully recovered systolic function.