Abstract
Author(s): Manal Yahya I. AL- Muhana, Amina A B AL Dujeli
Background: Numerous studies have shown that a considerable percentage of women with preeclampsia (PE) or gestational hypertension (GH) have cardiovascular maladaptation. One of the main factors contributing to maternal cardiovascular death and morbidity is preeclampsia. Increases in peripheral vascular resistance (PVR) and left ventricular mass (LV mass) can be indicators of poor outcomes for both the mother and the fetus. Echocardiography can identify diastolic dysfunction in preeclamptic women, allowing for early intervention. Aim: The study's objective is to assess some aspects of the left ventricle's systolic and diastolic performance in preeclamptic pregnant women and contrast them with those of normotensive pregnancies. Methods: case-control study was conducted at AL-Hussain Medical City between January 2023 and January 2024. Group I [n=30] consisted of pregnant women with preeclampsia, and Group II [n=30] consisted of pregnant women with normotension. The diastolic (E/A and E/Em) and systolic (EF) left ventricular functions of both groups were measured using maternal echocardiography. Result: There were no statistically significant differences between both groups in systolic function parameter (EF) (p > 0.05), nor conventional E/A ratio, whereas there were statistically significant differences in the E/Em ratio (p < 0.05). Conclusion: In mild preeclamptic patients, impaired diastolic functions were observed. This finding suggests that assessment of diastolic function during the early stages of pregnancy may have potential as a predictor of preeclampsia.