The Strain of Pregnancy: Left Atrial Mechanics in Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy

Pregnancy is characterized by multiple cardiovascular adaptations, leading to increased cardiac output and decreased vascular resistance to support maternal-fetal needs. However, in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, significant left ventricular remodeling occurs with associated alterations in diastolic function. Left atrial strain, measured by speckle-tracking echocardiography, has emerged as a novel parameter to evaluate early diastolic dysfunction that might be missed by standard 2-D imaging.