title: Left atrial mechanical functions in pre-eclampsia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the effect of short-term pressure overload on left atrial (LA) mechanical function in pre-eclampsia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty women with pre-eclampsia and 17 age-matched healthy pregnant women were included. LA volumes were measured echocardiographically at the time of mitral valve opening (Vmax), onset of atrial systole (p-wave at the electrocardiography = Vp) and mitral valve closure (Vmin) according to the biplane area-length method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age, gestational age, weight and body surface area were similar in pre-eclampsia and controls. The ventricular septal and posterior wall thickness were greater in pre-eclampsia (P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in LA diameter, Vmax, Vmin, Vp, LA-passive emptying volume, LA-passive emptying fraction, LA-active emptying volume, LA-active emptying fraction, conduit volume, LA-total emptying volume and LA-total emptying fraction between the groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Left atrial mechanical function didn't change in pre-eclampsia. We conclude that short-lasting pressure overload is not capable of inducing changes in LA function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Ataturk, Erzurum, Turkey. ingec@atauni.edu.tr
authors.forename: Metin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ingec
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yilmaz
authors.forename: Fuat
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gundogdu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016279:Atrial Function, Left / Q000502:physiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011247:Pregnancy