title: Post-partum evaluation of maternal cardiac function after severe preeclampsia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the post-partum maternal cardiac function in patients with history of severe preeclampsia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A series of women with previous singleton pregnancy complicated by severe preeclampsia underwent transthoracic echocardiography at 6-12 months from delivery. A group of women with previous uncomplicated pregnancy was selected as controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixteen women with history of severe preeclampsia were enrolled in the study group whereas 18 patients were selected as controls. In the study group systolic (p=0.002) and diastolic blood pressure (p=0.044) were significantly higher. Significant differences were observed in systolic left ventricular (LV) parameters, such as cardiac output (p=0.034), LV mass indexed to BSA (p=0.024) and longitudinal contraction, expressed by tissue Doppler (TD) S1 wave, which resulted relatively impaired in former preeclamptic women (p=0.049). As regards as diastolic parameters, pulsed Doppler A-wave velocity was increased (p=0.036). TD E-wave velocity was significantly lower in study group (p<0.001) and E/E1 ratio (E=peak early diastole transmitral wave velocity/E1=peak early diastolic velocity at mitral valve annulus at TD) was higher respect to controls (p<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LV contractility and diastolic function, although within normal reference ranges, show slight but significant impairment among women who experienced a severe preeclampsia. TD seems to be a sensible tool to identify these precocious signs of potential LV dysfunction.
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and.
authors: Tullio
authors: T
authors: Ghi
authors: Daniela
authors: D
authors: Degli Esposti
authors: Elisa
authors: E
authors: Montaguti
authors: Martina
authors: M
authors: Rosticci
authors: Francesca
authors: F
authors: De Musso
authors: Aly
authors: A
authors: Youssef
authors: Ginevra
authors: G
authors: Salsi
authors: Gianluigi
authors: G
authors: Pilu
authors: Claudio
authors: C
authors: Borghi
authors: Nicola
authors: N
authors: Rizzo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006321:Heart / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000502:physiology*; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left; D055815:Young Adult