ABSTRACT
Pregnancy-induced hypertension offers a natural model of transient hypertension. This study aimed to assess the ability of echocardiographic Doppler to unmask left ventricular function impairment as well as both left atrium and aortic root dimensions and carotid intma-media thickness as echocardiographic markers. Forty-eight women aged 29.6 +/- 4.42 years with pregnancy-induced hypertension defined as blood pressure higher than 140/90 mm Hg after 20 weeks gestation without a history of hypertension. Forty-eight normal pregnant women, aged 26.37 +/- 4.94 years, were the controls. Left ventricular diastolic and systolic diameters, ejection fraction, interventrical septum, posterior wall, relative wall thickness, left ventricular mass index, E velocity, A velocity, E/A ratio, isovolumetric relaxation time [IRT], isovolumetric contraction time [ICT], ejection time [ET], and the combined index of myocardial performance [Tei index = IRT + ICT/ET], were calculated by echocardiography Doppler 2 to 4 days postpartum. Left atrium and aortic root dimensions and carotid intima-media thickness were also assessed. Lipid profile was compared and the relation to parity and pregravid bodymass index were also assessed. There were statistically significant differences between groups in the all parameters apart from both diastolic and systolic diameters, ejection fraction, left atrium and aortic root dimensions. Highly significant differences existed in the Tei-Index andIRT and less significant relation regarding carotid intima-media thickness and E/A ratio. A highly positive association with pregravid body mass index, cholesterol, LDL, triglycerides and not HDL was found. A less positive relationship between parity was noticed. Pregnancy-induced hypertension evaluated 2 to 4 days after delivery showed left ventricular dysfunction, mainly diastolic. The Tei index is a useful parameter to unmask left ventricular dysfunction. Carotid intima-media thickness as well as E/A ratio are also ot value. Obesity and of a lesser extent parity are also predictors