Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and echocardiography in cardio-obstetrics

Abstract

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, such as preeclampsia, are associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes in the peripartum period including heart failure, peripartum cardiomyopathy, and stroke. Echocardiography provides a noninvasive way to assess cardiac structure and function and changes related to hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. In this talk, we will discuss expected cardiac changes measured by echocardiography among women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. We will also discuss other cardiac complications related to pregnancy (such as spontaneous coronary artery dissection and peripartum cardiomyopathy) and associated echocardiographic findings. Finally, we will discuss later life echocardiographic findings among individuals with prior hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.