Impact of parity on cardiac structure and function in apparently healthy pregnant women in Nigeria

Abstract

Abstract Background There are a few and conflicting data in the literature about parity and maternal cardiac function. Purpose The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of parity on cardiac structure and function in apparently healthy pregnant women in Nigeria. Methods This was a cross-sectional study carried out in 4 tertiary centers in Kano, and 1 in Ile- Ife, Nigeria. 112 apparently healthy pregnant women were consecutively recruited between 28thand 38th weeks of gestation. Left ventricular (LV)systolic dysfunction was defined as LV ejection fraction of below 50%, and diastolic dysfunction was graded using mitral filling pattern and tissue velocities. Results LV systolic dysfunction and diastolic dysfunction were found in 6 (5.4%) subjects and 20 (17.9%) subjects respectively. Age (p= <0.0001), left atrial (LA)size (P= <0.0001), interventricular septal thickness at end diastole (IVSD) (p=0.005) and posterior wall thickness at end diastole (PWTD) (p=0.004) increased progressively with parity (Table 1). There was significant positive correlation between parity and age (r=0.475, p= <0.0001), LA size (r=0.332, p= <0.0001), IVSD (r=0.264, p=0.005) and PWD (r=0.343, p= <0.0001). LV systolic function was not significantly associated with parity. Conclusion Our findings suggests that parity causes significant myocardial remodeling in apparently healthy pregnant women that should be taken in to consideration while interpreting their echocardiograms. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.