RESULTS

A total of 60 pregnant women were included in the study (GDM=30; controls=30). The BMI (30.9±4.5 kg/m2 vs. 28.0±4.1 kg/m2, p=0.01) and systolic blood pressure of the GDM (115±7 mmHg vs 109±8 mmHg, p=0.006) were higher than control group. Median fasting glucose level was 95 mg/dL in the GDM group and 84 mg/dL in the control group p<0.001. Other clinical and laboratory findings were similar (Table 1).
P max duration and PWD were significantly higher in the GDM group (119.0±6.6 ms vs. 99.2±4.1 ms, p<0.001 and 52.7±5.1 ms, vs. 28.9±4.2 ms, p<0.001, respectively). Whereas P min duration was significantly lower in in the GDM group (66.2±3.1 ms vs. 70.3±3.7 ms, p<0.001) (Table 2).
Among echocardiographic findings IVS diameter and PW thickness were significantly higher in the GDM group (9.9 ± 0.8 mm vs. 9.2 ± 0.8 mm, p=0.001; 9.3 ± 0.8 mm vs. 8.6 ± 1.0 mm, p=0.003). Other echocardiographic findings were similar (Table 3).
PA lateral, PA septal and PA tricuspid were significantly higher in the GDM patients when compared with the controls (65.7±4.2ms vs. 47.7±4.7 ms, p<0.001; 56.1±3.4 ms vs. 40.8±3.7 ms, p<0.001 and 48.4±3.9 ms vs. 36.0±3.6 ms, p<0.001, respectively). Moreover, median values of interatrial EMD, intraleft atrial EMD and intraatrial EMD were also significantly higher in the GDM group than control group (18 ms vs. 12 ms, p<0.001; 10 ms vs.7.5 ms, p<0.001 and 8 ms vs. 4 ms, p=0.001, respectively) (Table 4).
Correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between PWD and age (r=0.36, p=0.04) (Figure 1). Correlations of PWD with other clinical characteristics including BMI, systolic BP and gestation duration were not significant. Among EMDs only intra-atrial EMD was significantly correlated with PWD (r=0.39, p=0.03).