Impact of Preeclampsia Severity on Fetal MAPSE and TAPSE: A Prospective Case-Control Study

Objectives: The objective of this study was to compare fetal MAPSE and TAPSE values in preeclamptic pregnancies with those in healthy pregnancies and to examine the changes in these parameters according to the severity of preeclampsia. Methods: This prospective case-control study enrolled 77 women with preeclampsia and 81 healthy pregnant controls. Fetal MAPSE and TAPSE values were obtained under standardized conditions by experienced operators using M-mode ultrasonography. Results: Fetal mitral annular plane systolic excursion (MAPSE) and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) values were found to be significantly lower in the preeclampsia group compared with the control group (p < 0.001). In analyses evaluating preeclampsia cases within themselves, fetal MAPSE and TAPSE values were found to be more significantly reduced in the preeclampsia with severe features group compared to the preeclampsia without severe features group. Conclusions: Fetal MAPSE and TAPSE values, measured by M-mode ultrasonography, were found to be significantly lower in the preeclampsia group compared to the control group. The more pronounced decrease in these values, particularly in preeclampsia with severe features cases, suggests that MAPSE and TAPSE measurements may be early indicators of fetal cardiovascular adaptation to the impaired intrauterine environment.