Evaluation of Echocardiographic Systolic Parameters in Pre-Eclamptics and Normotensives Women

Early detection of changes in cardiovascular echocardiographic systolic parameters and their comparison with normotensives women.

This was a hospital-based prospective case-control study carried out in Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in S.M.S Medical College, Jaipur, during the period from February 2013 to December 2014. In total, 100 women were enrolled in the study after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria. All women underwent two-dimensional echocardiography at rest. Cardiac systolic parameters were recorded and studied.

Mean LVEDV in the PIH group was 75.71 ± 4.8 versus 71.08 ± 5.6 ml in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant. Mean stroke volume was higher in the PIH group as compared to the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (59.83 ± 7.4 vs. 52.48 ± 6.4 ml/min). Mean aortic root diameter in the PIH group was 2.188 ± 1.04 cm as compared to the 1.866 ± 1.06 cm in the control group which was statistically significant. Mean left ventricular outflow tract diameter was slightly higher in the PIH group as compared to the controls although the P value was not significant (2.37 ± 1.06 and 1.99 ± 1.08 cm). Mean total vascular resistance was found to be higher in the PIH group as compared to the controls, and the difference was statistically significant (1389 ± 57.04 vs. 1286 ± 45.01 dynes/sec/cm(-5)).

Systolic parameters get worsened in pre-eclamptics. Early detection of change in these parameters could help to identify high-risk women who are prone to develop cardiovascular morbidity in later life.