Dimensions of the left ventricle, atrium, and aortic root in pregnancy-induced hypertension

Chronic hypertension induces changes in the structure of the left ventricle , atrium, and aortic root. However, the effects of transient hypertension a re unclear. Pregnancy-induced hypertension (PM) offers a natural and sponta neous model of this condition. Using M-mode echocardiography, we studied 95 consecutive patients with PIH, who were compared with 83 normal pregnant w omen (NPW). We evaluated diastolic diameter (DD), systolic diameter (SD), s eptal thickness (ST), posterior wall thickness (PWT), shortening fraction ( SF), relative wall thickness (RWT), left ventricular mass index (LVMI), lef t atrial dimension (LAD), and aortic root dimension (ARD). Patients with PIH had hi her ST (9.98 +/- 1.47 mm v 8.96 +/- 1.33 mm, P < . 000), PWT (9.28 <plus/minus> 1.48 mm v 8.55 +/- 1.35 mm, P < .000), LVMI (1 07.65 <plus/minus> 27.87 g/m(2) v 92.38 +/- 17.99 g/m(2), P < .000), and RW T (0.406 <plus/minus> 0.06 v 0.377 +/- 0.06 mm, P < .002). There were no si gnificant differences in ED? SD, SF, LAB, and ARE. In conclusion, PIH incre ases the LVMI due to an increase in the ST and PWT. The dimensions of the l eft ventricle, left atrium, and aortic root do not change. <(c)> 2001 Ameri can Journal of Hypertension: Ltd.