Abstract
Introduction Pregnancy is a process that causes several physiological
changes including all systems as well as cardiovascular system.
Ventricular hypertrophy and dilation of cardiac chambers are seen as a
result of these changes. Although there are studies about
pregnancy-related changes in echocardiographic examination; there is no
data about the long-term effects of parity on these alterations.
Therefore, we have evaluated the long-term effect of pregnancy on right
ventricular (RV) dilation and RV hypertrophy and their relation to the
parity number. Methods This prospective study included a total of 600
women (200 consecutive women who had no parity, 200 women who had a
parity number of 1 to 4 and 200 women who had a parity number of more
than 4). Right chambers’ measurements were compared between the groups.
Results In echocardiographic analysis, RV and right atrial dimensions
and areas and RV wall thickness were higher in parous women. On the
other hand, RV systolic function parameters were significantly lower in
parous women. These significant changes showed a gradual increase or
decrease by increasing parity number. There were also independent
relationship between the number of parity and RV hypertrophy even after
adjustment for several confounders. Conclusion Pregnancy-related
physiological changes mostly resolve after delivery. This study about
long-term effects of pregnancy on RV has demonstrated that there is a
significant relation between the number of parity and either RV dilation
or RV hypertrophy. Each parity had also additive effect on these
changes.