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Z Geburtshilfe Neonatol 2022; 226(01): 41-47
DOI: 10.1055/a-1403-3585
Original Article

Severe Preeclampsia is Associated with Functional and Structural Cardiac Alterations: A Case-control Study

Derya Kilic
1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey
,
Tolga Guler
1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey
,
Cihan Ilyas Sevgican
2   Department of Cardiology, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey
,
Ayhan Atigan
3   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sanliurfa Viransehir State Hospital, Sanliurfa, Turkey
,
Oguz Kilic
4   Department of Cardiology, Simav Doc. Ismail Karakuyu State Hospital, Kutahya, Turkey
,
Derya Kaya
2   Department of Cardiology, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey
,
Ismail Dogu Kilic
2   Department of Cardiology, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey
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Abstract

Background The aim of the current study is to compare electrocardiographic and echocardiographic changes in patients with severe preeclampsia (PE) and those with uncomplicated pregnancies.

Methods This is a case-controlled prospective study consisting of 21 pregnant women with severe preeclampsia and a control group consisting of age- and gestational age-matched 24 healthy pregnant women. All patients underwent electrocardiographic and echocardiographic investigation.

Results QRS intervals were shorter and PR intervals were longer in the PE group (QRS duration: 80 (60–120) ms and 80 (40–110) ms, p=0.035; PR duration: 160 (100–240) ms and 120 (80–200) ms, respectively; p=0.046). The left ventricular end-systolic diameters of the patients with severe PE group were significantly larger than the control group (31 (24–36) mm and 30 (24–33) mm, respectively; p=0.05). Similarly, posterior wall thickness values of the PE group were significantly higher compared to the control group (9 (7–11) mm vs. 8 (6–10) mm, respectively; p=0.020). Left ventricular mass (146.63±27.73 g and 128.69±23.25 g, respectively; p=0.033) and relative wall thickness values (0.385±0.054 and 0.349±0.046, respectively; p=0.030) were also higher in the PE group. In addition, patients with early-onset severe PE had significantly a higher left ventricular end-diastolic diameter and volume compared with late-onset PE patients.

Conclusions The structural changes detected in the severe PE group suggest a chronic process rather than an acute effect. In addition, diastolic dysfunction and left ventricular remodeling are most marked in patients with severe early-onset PE.

Key words

Severe preeclampsia - Cardiovascular risk - Echocardiography - Electrocardiography - Hemodynamics - Pregnancy


Publication History

Received: 16 November 2020

Accepted after revision: 20 February 2021

Article published online:
09 April 2021

© 2021. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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