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Blood pressure variability correlates with right ventricular strain in women with gestational hypertension and preeclampsia

Journal of Human Hypertension volume 36, pages 826–832 (2022)Cite this article

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the short- and long-term blood pressure (BP) variability and right ventricular (RV) remodeling in women with gestational hypertension and preeclampsia, as well as their association. This cross-sectional study included 161 pregnant women (56 normotensive controls, 55 patients with gestational hypertension, and 50 patients with preeclampsia) after 20 weeks of gestation. All women underwent 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring and echocardiographic examination. Our findings showed that 24-h, daytime and nighttime systolic and diastolic BPs, as well as visit-to-visit systolic and diastolic BPs, were significantly higher in women with gestational hypertension and preeclampsia than in control group. Parameters of short- and long-term BP variability gradually increased from controls, throughout women with preeclampsia, to those with gestational hypertension. RV diameter, E/e′ and PAP were significantly higher in women with gestational hypertension and preeclampsia than in controls. Global and free wall RV longitudinal strains, as well as corresponding endo- and epicardial strains, gradually reduced from controls to women with preeclampsia. Parameters of short- and long-term BP variability were independently associated with global and free wall RV longitudinal strain. In conclusion, short- and long-term BP variability was higher in women with pregnancy-induced hypertensive disorders. RV diastolic function and mechanics were deteriorated in these women comparing with controls. A significant association between BP variability and RV longitudinal strain underlines the importance of determination of short- and long-term BP variability during pregnancy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University Clinical Hospital Center “Dr. Dragisa Misovic-Dedinje”, Clinic for Internal medicine, Cardiology Department, Belgrade, Serbia

    Marijana Tadic, Jelena Suzic Lazic, Vladan Vukomanovic, Predrag Savic, Marko Cvrkotic & Vera Celic

  2. University of Milan-Bicocca and Istituto, Auxologico Italiano Clinical Research Unit, Meda, Italy

    Cesare Cuspidi

  3. University Clinical Hospital Center “Dr. Dragisa Misovic-Dedinje”, Clinic for gynecology, Belgrade, Serbia

    Sladjana Mihajlovic

  4. Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milano, Italy

    Guido Grassi

Authors
  1. Marijana Tadic
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  2. Cesare Cuspidi
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  3. Jelena Suzic Lazic
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  9. Vera Celic
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Correspondence to Marijana Tadic.

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MT is supported by the unrestricted Servier Research Grant. Other authors have not declared any conflicts of interest related to this study.

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Tadic, M., Cuspidi, C., Suzic Lazic, J. et al. Blood pressure variability correlates with right ventricular strain in women with gestational hypertension and preeclampsia. J Hum Hypertens 36, 826–832 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41371-021-00580-x

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