Key result
The third trimester of a normal first pregnancy was associated with a significant decrease in left ventricular global longitudinal strain compared to non-pregnant controls (p=0.001).
Why the study?
Hormonal and hemodynamic changes during pregnancy alter cardiac function, but their effect on left ventricular myocardial contractile function has not been fully illustrated.
Does the third trimester of a normal first pregnancy alter left ventricular global longitudinal strain compared to non-pregnant women?
Cross-Sectional (n=100)
No
Does the third trimester of a normal first pregnancy alter left ventricular global longitudinal strain compared to non-pregnant women?
p-value: p=0.001
Speckle tracking echocardiography reveals a significant subclinical reduction in left ventricular global longitudinal strain during the third trimester of normal first pregnancies, despite preserved ejection fraction.
Speckle tracking may detect subtle third-trimester LV changes; leaves open clinical relevance and requires prospective validation.
Background: Pregnancy is a dynamic process associated with significant and thorough hormonal and hemodynamic changes that directly or indirectly influence cardiac function. However, the effect of these alterations on left ventricular myocardial contractile function has not been fully illustrated. Objective: To assess the maternal cardiac function during the third trimester of first pregnancy using Speckle Tracking echocardiography. Results: This cross sectional study was carried out in Baghdad teaching hospital in the time period from November 2020 to June 2021. A total of 100 women were studied, they were classified into two groups: 50 non pregnant women with mean age (24.6 ±4.60 years) served as control group, and 50 pregnant women with normal singleton pregnancy (30-40 weeks of gestation) with mean age (23.6±3.63 year) served as study group. The left ventricular systolic function was assessed using transthoracic echocardiography to measure LV ejection fraction EF%. Furthermore, the left ventricular contractile function evaluated with speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) by measuring LV global longitudinal strain (GLS). The left ventricular ejection fraction shows no significant difference between pregnant and control group (p= 0.214), while the left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS) shows significant decrease in the pregnant females in their third trimester (p=0.001). Conclusion: left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS) shows significant reduction during the third trimester of normal first pregnancy.
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Affan E Hasan (2022) conducted a cross-sectional in First pregnancy (n=100). Third trimester of first pregnancy vs. Non-pregnant women was evaluated on Left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS) (p=0.001). The third trimester of a normal first pregnancy was associated with a significant decrease in left ventricular global longitudinal strain compared to non-pregnant controls (p=0.001).
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