OBESITY, PREGNANCY, AND LEFT-VENTRICULAR FUNCTIONING DURING THE 3RD TRIMESTER

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine left ventricular size and func tion in obese pregnant patients during the third trimester. STUDY DESI GN: Eight morbidly obese pregnant patients had M-mode echocardiography . None were hypertensive or diabetic at the time of study. A group of 36 normal patients were used as controls. RESULTS: Left ventricular en d-diastolic dimension, fractional shortening, and cardiac index were n ot significantly different between the two groups. Left atrial size, l eft ventricular wall thickness, interventricular septal thickness, and left ventricular mass were greater in the obese group. The radius-to- wall thickness ratio was significantly smaller in the obese group. CON CLUSIONS: (1) Left ventricular dimension and function in obese patient s was similar to that of nonobese patients. (2) The left ventricle was found to be significantly hypertrophied in obese patients. Left ventr icular reconfiguration appears to be important in preserving left vent ricular function. Whether these changes are specific to pregnancy or s econdary to maternal obesity remains to be determined.