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Updated: Feb 14, 2026

Evaluation of Left Ventricular Structure and Function using 3D Echocardiography
Published on: October 28, 2020
Left ventricular function of patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension evaluated using velocity vector imaging
Li Yu1, Qichang Zhou1, Qinghai Peng1
1Department of Ultrasound Diagnosis, Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.
Purpose:
To investigate whether acute and transient pressure overload in patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) affects left ventricular (LV) systolic function.
Methods:
From pregnancy to 3 months after delivery, 82 patients were analyzed: 27, 25, and 30 with gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and the healthy control group, respectively. Conventional echocardiography and velocity vector imaging (VVI) were performed, and blood levels of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP) were analyzed.
Results:
Compared with the control group, patients with gestational hypertension had significantly lower mean LV peak global longitudinal strain. Importantly, during both pregnancy and after delivery, patients with preeclampsia had significantly lower global longitudinal, circumferential, and radial strain compared with the control group. The NT-pro-BNP levels were significantly higher in patients with PIH compared with normotensive pregnancies, and this situation continued for 3 months after delivery in women with preeclampsia.
Conclusions:
In pregnancies complicated by pregnancy-induced hypertension, especially preeclampsia, the systolic function is impaired and NT-pro-BNP levels are elevated compared with normal pregnancy. Velocity vector imaging (VVI) is more sensitive than left ventricular ejection fraction to evaluate heart function in patients with PIH.
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