Changes in cardiac function during and after pregnancy expressed by systolic time intervals.

Hemodynamic changes during the first and third trimester in pregnancy and in the first week of puerperium were evaluated by non-invasive measurements of Systolic Time Intervals (STI) in supine and left lateral position. The Pre-ejection Period (PEP) was found to shorten significantly in pregnancy and the puerperium due to the increased blood volume. The electro-mechanical systole (QS2) and left ventricular ejection time (LVET) were shortened too, while PEP/LVET-ratio was increased in the third trimester due to the mechanical compression of the gravid uterus on the inferior vena cava. A lengthening of QS2 and LVET and a decreased PEP and P/L-ratio were demonstrated in the third trimester in lateral position when the pressure of the enlarged uterus was eliminated. Heart rate (HR) increased in late pregnancy as well as after delivery, while arterial blood pressure (BP) only underwent minor changes. Employment of the STI seems to provide more useful information about the changes cardiac function during gestation than HR and BP does. The measurements of STI can be repeated without any risk or inconvenience to the patients.