What the study found
Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy were associated with significant changes in cardiovascular hemodynamics, and these changes became more pronounced with greater disease severity. The study also found that diastolic dysfunction was common and that severe disease was linked with more adverse neonatal outcomes.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that two-dimensional echocardiographic evaluation can provide valuable insight into cardiovascular involvement in hypertensive pregnancy. They also say the findings should be interpreted cautiously because this was an observational study without predictive modeling, and larger studies with comparator groups are needed to clarify clinical and prognostic significance.
What the researchers tested
This hospital-based prospective observational study included 70 pregnant women beyond 20 weeks of gestation with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. The participants were grouped as mild, moderate, or severe based on systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and all underwent two-dimensional echocardiography to assess systolic measures such as left ventricular volumes, cardiac output, and total vascular resistance, as well as diastolic measures including the E/A ratio, deceleration time, and isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT).
What worked and what didn't
With increasing severity, left ventricular end-systolic and end-diastolic volumes and cardiac output increased significantly, while total vascular resistance decreased significantly. Diastolic dysfunction was present in 51 women (72.9%) and was more frequent in severe disease; the E/A ratio fell with severity, and systolic blood pressure was positively correlated with cardiac output and negatively correlated with the E/A ratio. Severe disease was also associated with higher rates of preterm delivery, low birth weight, and NICU admission.
What to keep in mind
The study was observational, so it does not establish prediction or causation. The abstract also notes that larger studies with appropriate comparator groups are needed, and it does not provide additional limitations beyond this scope.
Key points
- The study found worsening systolic and diastolic echocardiographic changes as hypertensive disease severity increased.
- Diastolic dysfunction was present in 51 women, or 72.9% of the sample, and was more frequent in severe disease.
- Severe disease was associated with higher rates of preterm delivery, low birth weight, and NICU admission.
- Systolic blood pressure was positively correlated with cardiac output and negatively correlated with the E/A ratio.
- The authors say larger studies with comparator groups are needed to clarify clinical and prognostic significance.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Echocardiography showed worse hemodynamics with severe pregnancy hypertension
- Authors:
- Bharathi Venkatesh, Nikhitha Basavaraj, Ravindra S Pukale
- Institutions:
- Institute of Medical Sciences
- Publication date:
- 2026-03-07
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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