Influence of chest conformation on ventricular-arterial coupling during normal pregnancy

Raw data related to the article Abstract<br> Purpose: There is still controversy regarding the changes of ventricular-arterial coupling<br> (VAC) during normal pregnancy. The possible influence of chest shape on VAC<br> during normal pregnancy has never been investigated.<br> Methods: Between October 2019 and June 2020, 59 healthy pregnant women<br> (33.7 ± 4.4 years/old) were consecutively included. They underwent obstetric visit,<br> modified Haller index (MHI) assessment, and complete echocardiographic evaluation<br> with blood pressure measurement to assess arterial elastance (Ea), end-systolic<br> elastance (Ees), and Ea/Ees as an index of VAC, at 12-14 weeks and 36-38 weeks<br> gestation, then 6-9 weeks after delivery.<br> Results: VAC progressively increased from the first to the third trimester of pregnancy,<br> then decreased in the postpartum (P &lt; 0.0001) in the whole study population.<br> Women with concave-shaped chest wall (MHI &gt;2.5, n = 31) but not women with normal<br> chest shape (MHI ≤2.5, n = 28) showed a progressive increase in VAC during<br> normal pregnancy. Women with MHI &gt;2.5 showed a significantly less pronounced<br> increase in stroke volume index (SVi) from the first to the third trimester of pregnancy.<br> There was a strong linear correlation between third trimester MHI and<br> VAC (r = 0.93).<br> Conclusions: Anatomical and/or extrinsic mechanical factors rather than impaired<br> arterial elastance or reduced left ventricular contractility may contribute to changes<br> in VAC during normal pregnancy in women with concave-shaped chest wall.