Objective. To assess the dynamics of cardiac remodeling after childbirth in various forms of hypertension (HT) during pregnancy. Design and methods. Altogether 130 pregnant women with hypertension aged 20 to 40 years (mean age 26,1 ± 1,7 years) at the 28-32 week of gestation pregnancy were examined. The control group consisted of 30 pregnant women with normal values of blood pressure (BP). Two-fold office BP measurement, ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM), heart ultrasound were performed in all women. After 12 weeks of delivery the examination was repeated. Results. Chronic hypertension (CAH) was diagnosed in 43 % of surveyed pregnant women with hypertension. This group of patients had higher BP at ABPM and office BP as compared to gestational hypertension (GAH). The frequency of myocardial changes was also higher in this group: left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) was found in 26 %, LV concentric remodeling (LVCR) — in 42 %, and these changes remained 12 weeks post-delivery. In patients with GAH there were only LVCR signs (29 %) that reversed after childbirth. Cardiac remodeling of different severity and stability was found in all groups studied. CAH was characterized by higher values of office BP and ABPM parameters as compared with GAH and was accompanied by marked and persistent heart changes (through 12 weeks postpartum). There was slight increase in myocardial mass and LV volume in the group of pregnant women without hypertension, but these changes did not go beyond the normal range. Conclusion. Timely and complete examination of pregnant women with hypertension, including ABPM and heart ultrasound, will improve early diagnosis of essential hypertension and timely management, as well as complication prevention.

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