Abstract
BackgroundLeft ventricular diastolic function is impaired during pregnancy. However, changes in left atrial (LA) function remain unclear. We aimed to evaluate changes in LA function during pregnancy using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2DSTE).Methods and Results50 pregnant and 50 healthy nulliparous (control group) women were enrolled in this study. All pregnant women were followed up postpartum in sixth-month. The LA maximum volume, LA minimal volume and LA preatrial contraction volume were obtained using biplane modified Simpson’s method. LA filling volume, LA expansion index, LA ejection fraction, passive volume, passive emptying index, active volume, and active emptying index were calculated. LA longitudinal systolic strain (SS), systolic strain rate (s-SR), early diastolic strain rate (e-SR), and late diastolic strain rate (a-SR) were obtained by 2DSTE. Compared to the control group, the reservoir function was increased in pregnant patients (P<0.05); conduit function was decreased in pregnant patients (P<0.05); booster pump function was increased in pregnant patients (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the control group and postpartum group.ConclusionsLA reservoir and booster pump function were increased, while conduit function was decreased during pregnancy using 2DSTE. The changes were reversible. 2DSTE can easily assess LA function during pregnancy with good repeatability.
Highlights
During pregnancy, the cardiovascular and other physiologic systems develop certain adaptive changes
Compared to the control group, the reservoir function was increased in pregnant patients (P
left atrial (LA) reservoir and booster pump function were increased, while conduit function was decreased during pregnancy using 2DSTE
Summary
The cardiovascular and other physiologic systems develop certain adaptive changes. Many studies have demonstrated changes in left ventricular (LV) function during pregnancy, especially diastolic function [2, 3]. We know that left atrial (LA) structural and functional remodeling is a barometer of LV diastolic dysfunction, few studies have revealed the changes in the LA [4]. LA function can be obtained and expressed as LA volume, or global longitudinal strain and strain rate [8]. None of these three functions of the LA, or changes in LA strain and strain rate during normal pregnancy have been revealed in former studies. Left ventricular diastolic function is impaired during pregnancy. We aimed to evaluate changes in LA function during pregnancy using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2DSTE)
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