Publication:

Electrocardiographic profile of patients with hypertensive disorders in pregnancy

Background Preeclampsia in pregnancy is a frequently encountered entity. Recent evidence suggests that preeclampsia can be considered as a screening test for future cardiovascular problems and abnormalities in pregnancy may help in counselling patients regarding future risk of cardiovascular problems. Electrocardiography (ECG) is a simple tool for detecting cardiovascular problems. While physiological changes in the ECG in pregnancy have been documented, the pattern of ECG in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy is not adequately studied in India. This formed the basis of the study.

Methods 140 patients who have been diagnosed as gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia during the pregnancy were studied in the antenatal period. An ECG (non-portable, standard, 12 lead) available in the hospital was done, and the ECG was reported by the physician on-call.

Results The average age distribution of the patients was 28.26 years. Majority of the patients in the study were primigravidae. 35% of the patients were more than 37 weeks of gestation. 20 patients showed electrocardiographic abnormalities. The most common abnormality was sinus tachycardia and left axis deviation.

Conclusions ECG abnormalities are seen in 14.2% of preeclamptic women. ECG abnormalities in preeclamptic women studied had no relation to the maternal age, gestational age; parity and use of antihypertensives.