Early diastolic time intervals during hypertensive pregnancy

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Obstetrics
• Physiology

Background:

• Hypertension during pregnancy (HP) affects maternal and fetal health.
• Early diastolic time intervals are crucial indicators of cardiac function.
• Assessing cardiac mechanics in HP is vital for understanding its impact.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate early diastolic time intervals in pregnant women with and without hypertension.
• To investigate the effects of postural changes on cardiac function in HP.
• To compare cardiac systolic and diastolic parameters between groups.

Main Methods:

• Echopolycardiography was used to assess time intervals in 17 HP and 14 normal pregnant women.
• Measurements were taken in left lateral decubitus (LLD) and supine decubitus (SD) positions.
• Evaluated parameters included isovolumic relaxation period (IRP), pre-ejection period (PEP), and stroke volume (SV).

Main Results:

• In LLD, IRP was significantly prolonged in HP women (51 ms) compared to normal (32.4 ms).
• HP women showed a significant lengthening of PEP, while SV, ejection fraction (EF), and mean velocity of myocardial fiber shortening (VCF) were similar between groups.
• Shifting to SD position decreased LVETi and SV in both groups, but IRP and PEP lengthened only in normal pregnancies, remaining unchanged in HP.

Conclusions:

• Hypertension during pregnancy prolongs the isovolumic relaxation period and pre-ejection period.
• HP minimizes the effects of postural changes on cardiac time intervals.
• These findings highlight altered diastolic function in hypertensive pregnancies.