Key result
Pregnancy in the third trimester was associated with a significant decrease in global longitudinal strain and an increase in left ventricular rotation and twist compared to healthy non-pregnant controls.
Why the study?
The study aimed to evaluate the effects of the first, second, and third trimesters of pregnancy on cardiac functions using speckle-tracking echocardiography.
Does pregnancy alter myocardial function as measured by speckle-tracking echocardiography in healthy women?
Cross-Sectional (n=111)
No
Does pregnancy alter myocardial function as measured by speckle-tracking echocardiography in healthy women?
Absolute Event Rate: -19.58% vs -21.47%
p-value: p=<0.001
Speckle-tracking echocardiography reveals that while global longitudinal strain decreases in the third trimester of pregnancy, left ventricular rotation and twist increase, likely as a compensatory mechanism to maintain cardiac output.
Speckle-tracking may detect pregnancy-related myocardial changes; leaves open prospective validation before clinical use.
Objectives: The speckle-tracking technique calculates the regional rate, the strain and the strain rate from two-dimensional gray-scale visualizations. The aim of this study was to evaluate with speckle-tracking echocardiography the effects of the first, second and third trimesters of pregnancy on cardiac functions.Methods: One hundred five voluntary pregnant and 35 healthy women of reproductive age were included in the study. For echocardiographic evaluations, the 111 highest-quality visualizations were chosen: 24 cases in the first trimester, 31 cases in the second trimester, 32 cases in the third trimester and 24 healthy women as a control group. Global longitudinal, radial, and circumferential strain, and left ventricular (LV) rotation and twist were evaluated by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography.Results: During pregnancy, the diameter, and volume of the left atrium, LV stroke volume, and the heart rate significantly increased beginning in the first trimester (p < 0.0125). The parameters of pulse-Doppler E velocity and tissue Doppler Em velocity significantly increased in the first trimester (p < 0.0125), whereas in the second and third trimester they decreased to control levels. Global longitudinal strain was significantly decreased in the third trimester of the pregnancy (p < 0.0125). Basal and apical LV rotation and twist were significantly increased in the third trimester of pregnancy (p < 0.0125). LV apical and basal reverse rotation rate were significantly increased in the first trimester of pregnancy (p < 0.0125).Conclusions: In the third trimester global longitudinal strain decreased whereas LV rotation and twist increased. Speckle-tracking echocardiography may be used to evaluate the effects of pregnancy and that provide further data on cardiac functions.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Arı et al. (2020) conducted a cross-sectional in Pregnancy (n=111). Pregnancy (third trimester) vs. Healthy non-pregnant women was evaluated on Global longitudinal strain (p=<0.001). Pregnancy in the third trimester was associated with a significant decrease in global longitudinal strain and an increase in left ventricular rotation and twist compared to healthy non-pregnant controls.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: