Investigating the relationship between right ventricular size and function with pre-eclampsia: A two-group...

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Obstetrics
• Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Background:

• Pre-eclampsia is a pregnancy disorder causing high blood pressure and proteinuria.
• It is associated with significant maternal and fetal mortality and cardiovascular complications.
• The impact of pre-eclampsia on right ventricular (RV) structure and function requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the structure and function of the right ventricle (RV) in pregnant women with pre-eclampsia.
• To compare RV echocardiographic indices between women with pre-eclampsia and healthy pregnant women.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 32 pregnant women with pre-eclampsia and 32 healthy pregnant controls.
• Two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography was used to evaluate RV function.
• Gestational age was 20 weeks or more for case group inclusion.

Main Results:

• Pregnant women with pre-eclampsia showed significantly decreased RV fractional area change and RV strain indices compared to controls (p < 0.05).
• No significant differences were found in other echocardiographic indices, pulmonary artery pressure, or left ventricle mass index between groups.

Conclusions:

• Pre-eclampsia may be associated with impaired RV function and echocardiographic changes.
• These findings suggest a potential for cardiac complications in patients with pre-eclampsia.