Alteration of Pregnant Women Heart Mechanics Assessed by Speckle Tracking Echocardiography During Pregnancy

Abstract

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to evaluate left ventricular myocardial mechanics using 2-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) during normal, uncomplicated pregancy and postpartum term. Patients and Methods: In this prospective, longitudinal study, 86 healthy pregnant women who underwent serial 2 dimensional echocardiographic evaluation during each trimester (trimester one 8-12 weeks; trimester two 20-24 weeks, trimester three 32-36 weeks, and postpartum 10-14 weeks). Two-dimensional STE was performed to measure global left ventricular longitudinal, circumferential, and radial strain (GLS, GCS, and GRS, respectively). Results: GLS showed a decrease during pregnancy (for first trimester 21.0 ± 2.1%; for second trimester 19.9 ± 1.8%; for third trimester 18.2 ± 2.1; for postpartum 19.1 ± 1.4, p< 0.001). GCS was significantly reduced during pregnancy (p= 0.033) and peaked as the same value in the first trimester. GRS remained unchanged throughout the pregnancy and labor (p= 0.033). Conclusion: This study gives normal ranges of 2D indices in pregnancy. 2D STE demonstrated that LV longitudinal and circumferantial strain are significantly reduced, whereas radial strain remained unchanged.