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
