Abstract
The effects of chronic hypertension on left ventricular function are well known. However changes produced by transient hypertension, such as pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) are not fully established. To assess the potential of echo-Doppler to unmask left ventricular function impairment in patients with PIH. Twenty eight women with PIH were studied prospectively with echo-Doppler done 2 to 4 days after delivery. We assessed left ventricular diastolic diameter (LVDD), fractional shortening (FS), E velocity (Ev), A velocity (Av), E/A ratio, isovolumetric relaxation time (IRT), isovolumetric contraction time (ICT), ejection time (ET), and the combined index of systo-diastolic performance (IRT + ICT) / ET (CI). Twenty age matched normal pregnant women studied 2 to 4 days after delivery (NP), were used as controls. (See Table) 1) PIH patients evaluated 2 to 4 days after delivery showed abnormal left ventricular function. 2) Diastolic more than systolic function is involved. 3) The IRT and the combined index are the most useful echocardiographic parameters to detect left ventricular dysfunction in PIH.
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