AIM  To assess alterations in cardiov ascular strain function in patients with preeclampsia (PE) before and after delivery via two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (2D-STE), and to evaluate their correlations.

METHODS  A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 30 pregnant women with PE (PE group) and 33 normal pregnant women (control group) who had attended our hospital between November 2020 and December 2022. All participants underwent echocardiographic examination using an Esaote Mylab Twice ultrasound system. Left atrial, left ventricular, and common carotid artery strain parameters were measured and compared between groups pre- and post-delivery. Correlation analyses were performed among key parameters.

RESULTS Compared with the normal pregnancy group, the pre eclampsia group had significantly increased systolic blood pressure (P<0.05), diastolic blood pressure (P<0.01), and mean arterial pressure (P<0.01); Compared with the normal pregnancy group, the left atrial volume index of preeclampsia patients before delivery significantly increased (P<0.05); The radial strain rate (RAD-SR) of the common carotid artery was significantly reduced (P<0.01). Compared with the normal pregnancy group, postpartum preeclampsia patients showed a significant increase in left atrial strain pump function (P<0.01) and a significant decrease in left atrial strain channel function (P<0.01); However, there was no significant statistical difference in left atrial volume index and vascular radial strain rate between patients with preeclampsia and the normal pregnancy group. Compared with the postpartum normal pregnancy group, the left atrial strain pump function was significantly reduced in the prenatal normal pregnancy group (P<0.01), and the overall long axis strain and strain rate of the left ventricle were significantly increased (both P<0.01); Compared with the postpartum preeclampsia group, the overall long axis strain, strain rate, and radial strain rate of the left ventricle in the pre eclampsia group were significantly increased (all P<0.01); Correlation analysis showed that the strain reserve function and channel function of the left atrium in the prenatal PE group were negatively correlated with the overall long axis strain (GLS) of the left ventricle (r=−0.417, −0.398), and positively correlated with the circumferential strain of the common carotid artery outer membrane (EP-CS) (r=0.420, 0.411); Postpartum left atrial strain reserve function, pump function, and overall left ventricular long axis strain rate (GLSR) are positively correlated (r=0.637, 0.584), while GLS is negatively correlated with carotid artery intima circumferential strain (EN-CS) and strain rate (EN-CSR) (r=−0.638, −0.641). GLSR is positively correlated with carotid artery intima circumferential strain rate (EN-CSR) and epicardial circumferential strain rate (EP-CSR) (r=0.628, 0.671), both P<0.05.

CONCLUSION  2D-STE is a sensitive tool for detecting changes in cardiovascular structure and function in patients with PE before and after delivery. This study has important clinical value for the evaluation of postpartum cardiovascular structure and function in patients with PE.