Assessment of cardiovascular hemodynamics in gestational hypertension and preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a multisystem disease complicating 5-10% of pregnancies and remains in the top three causes of maternal morbidity and mortality globally. During pregnancy mean arterial pressure and vascular resistance decrease, while blood volume and basal metabolic rate increase resulting in increased cardiac output In hypertensive disorders of pregnancy there is currently no consensus on the systolic and diastolic parameters of cardiac function and the literature is conflicting regarding whether there is increased, decreased or any change in cardiac output. Women with a history of preeclampsia/eclampsia have approximately double the risk of early cardiac, cerebrovascular, and peripheral arterial disease, and cardiovascular mortality. This study was undertaken to evaluate cardiovascular hemodynamic alterations in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in comparison with appropriately age, parity and gestational age matched control normotensive pregnancies. In women with preeclampsia cardiac work index and left ventricular mass index are increased as a result of increased workload on heart to maintain cardiac output against increased after load. Systolic function is well preserved. Diastolic function is reduced and those with global diastolic function are at increased risk of developing pulmonary edema. Advanced techniques like speckle tracking echocardiography can better identify those with compromised cardiovascular function.