title: Cardiovascular autonomic responses to head-up tilt in gestational hypertension and normal pregnancy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of gestational hypertension on hemodynamics and cardiovascular autonomic regulation at rest and their responses to head-up tilt (HUT). We prospectively studied 56 pregnant women (28 with gestational hypertension and 28 healthy pregnant women) during the third trimester of pregnancy and 3 months after pregnancy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In women with pregnancy-induced hypertension, compared with control women, there were significant differences in hemodynamics and in markers of cardiovascular regulation (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). Postural change from the supine to the upright position was associated with significant changes in hemodynamic responses in both groups during pregnancy (from p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). Regulatory response to HUT in both groups was characterized with a decrease in HF power and increase in LF/HF ratio (from p < 0.01 to p < 0.001). Responses to HUT in total power and VLF power were attenuated in hypertensive pregnancies (p < 0.001 to p < 0.01, respectively, vs control group).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that autonomic cardiovascular regulation may not play a major role in women with gestational hypertension . The lack of irreversible changes in autonomic nervous function in hypertensive women appeared to be a feature of gestational-induced hypertension.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obsteterics and Gynecology, Kuopio University Hospital, University of Kuopio, Kuopio, Finland. nonna.heiskanen@kuh.fi
authors.forename: Nonna
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Heiskanen
authors.forename: Heli
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Saarelainen
authors.forename: Henna
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kärkkäinen
authors.forename: Pirjo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Valtonen
authors.forename: Tiina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lyyra-Laitinen
authors.forename: Tomi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Laitinen
authors.forename: Esko
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vanninen
authors.forename: Seppo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Heinonen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000294:innervation / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D046110:Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D011446:Prospective Studies