Pre-eclampsia and long-term cardiac dysfunction: A review of asymptomatic cardiac changes existing well beyond the post-partum period.

Women with a history of early or preterm pre-eclampsia have an increased prevalence of diastolic dysfunction. This review demonstrates that the cardiac dysfunction associated with previous pre-eclampsia is quantifiable and persistent. Progression of heart failure from asymptomatic to symptomatic stages carries a fivefold increase in mortality. The use of echocardiography could detect cardiac dysfunction in the asymptomatic stage and guide more intensive risk factor modification in these women.