Echocardiographic evaluation of pregnant women at 28-32 weeks of gestation with signs and symptoms related to cardiovascular disease

Abstract

Physiological changes occur in pregnancy leading to hyperkinetic circulation with volume overload which represents an adaptation of the cardiovascular system of the mother. This prospective study was carried out in 80 pregnant women at 28-32 weeks of gestation with signs and symptoms related to cardiovascular disease to assess the impact of echocardiography on early detection and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. The mean cardiac output, mean ejection fraction, mean left ventricular end diastolic and end systolic dimension observed was 5.39±1.19 L/min, 60.72±6.71%, 44.68±6.01 mm and 28.6±5.07 mm respectively. 32 patients had tricuspid regurgitation which resolved in 6 patients on 6 weeks postpartum. 21 had mitral regurgitation, resolved in 8 patients. Other abnormalities seen were Mitral valve proplapse, Pulmonary artery hypertension, pericardial effusion, and Diastolic dysfunction and Perpartum cardiomyopathy in some patients. Echocardiography can help in evaluating valvular lesions, hemodynamic stages, and chamber size in different stages of pregnancy.