Novel electrocardiographic patterns for the prediction of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy—from pathophysiology to practical implications

Abstract

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are a major cause of poor outcome, including placental abruption, organ failure, cerebrovascular accident and disseminated intravascular coagulation. These disorders are associated with increased fetal risk of intrauterine growth restriction, intrauterine death and prematurity. Electrocardiography (ECG) recently emerged as a useful tool to evaluate cardiovascular complications during pregnancy. Specifically, left atrial abnormalities detected by standard ECG are associated with a fourfold increased risk of developing hypertensive disorders during pregnancy. The mechanisms linking left atrial abnormality on ECG with hypertensive disorders are still elusive. Several mechanisms, possibly reflected by abnormal left atrial activation on ECG, has been suggested. These include increased reactivity to angiotensin II and up-regulation of angiotensin type 1 receptors, with activation of autoantibodies targeting these receptors.