Study of aortic function in the normotensive pregnant woman

ABSTRACT

Arterial rupture and dissection have been observed in both normal and complicated pregnancies. To understand how arterial mechanical properties might change during pregnancy we measured aortic root diameter by M-mode echocardiography and obtained simultaneous cuff blood pressure at rest and during hand grip isometric exercise. Measurements were obtained in 25 pregnant women [13 primiparous and 12 multiparous women] at the late period of normal gestation, and again 3 months postpartum. There was significant increase of cardiac index [CI] and significant increase of AO/LA ratio at late gestation than postpartum [P< 0.05] in both groups. There was a significant increase in aortic root area index and significant increase of aortic compliance [P<0.05] in multiparous than primiparous women at late gestation and there were significant increased aortic root area index and increase of aortic compliance [P< 0.05] in multiparous at late gestation than postpartum in both groups. The aorta is larger and more compliant during normal human pregnancy especially in multiparous women. Increased aortic compliance may enhance left ventricular performance in normal pregnancy. So, multiparous women have more structural alteration of aorta leading to dissection or rupture during pregnancy