Cardiac Dimensions in Normal Pregnancy: A Prospective Study

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Obstetrics
• Physiology

Background:

• Pregnancy induces significant physiological changes, including cardiovascular system adaptations like chronic volume overload.
• Cardiovascular disease in pregnancy is a leading cause of non-obstetric maternal mortality globally.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify and describe alterations in left and right ventricular and atrial dimensions during normal pregnancy.
• To track these cardiac chamber size changes from the first trimester through six weeks postpartum.

Main Methods:

• A cohort study of 50 healthy pregnant women aged 18-40 years.
• Echocardiographic assessments (2D, M-mode, Doppler) were performed in each trimester and six weeks postpartum.
• Clinical, hematologic, biochemical, and anthropometric data were collected and analyzed.

Main Results:

• Progressive increases in left ventricular posterior wall thickness, left atrial diameter, left ventricular internal diameter, and right atrial dimensions were observed from T1 to T3.
• Left atrial volume index and right ventricular basal diameter followed a similar increasing trend.
• Most cardiac chamber dimensions significantly decreased postpartum, returning to near-baseline levels.

Conclusions:

• Significant changes in cardiac chamber sizes occur during pregnancy, largely reversing postpartum.
• Screening apparently healthy pregnant women for cardiovascular changes is recommended for early detection and management of potential disorders.