In this study, the investigators will follow two small cohorts of pregnant women: a cohort of healthy women with uncomplicated pregnancies residing at high altitude, a control group of healthy women with uncomplicated pregnancies residing at sea level, to characterize differences in cardiopulmonary adaptation and nitric oxide (NO) pathway expression at elevations \>3,500 m throughout pregnancy and into the postpartum period. The investigators aim to investigate right-sided cardiac impairment induced by chronic hypobaric hypoxemia, its effects on fetal growth, and the potential contribution of cardiovascular nitric oxide depletion to obstetric complications.
women delivering at participating hospitals at more than 3500 meters or women delivering at participating hospitals at sea level
signed informed consent
preexisting cardiopulmonary pathologies (CHD, COPD, CKD, NYHA > III)
The cohort of healthy pregnant women residing at high altitude will selected from pregnant women who have lived at an altitude greater than 3500 meters throughout pregnancy and at delivery. The control group will be pregnant women who have lived at sea level throughout pregnancy and at delivery.
Cohort
Prospective
Not listed
Pulmonary artery pressures
Measurement will be performed by transthoracic echocardiography.
Echographic estimate of fetal weight
Nitric oxide metabolites
Measurement will be performed with a chemiluminescence assay.
RV remodeling echocardiography parameters
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