Haemodynamic effects of oxytocin in women with severe preeclampsia

• Published in: International journal of obstetric anesthesia Vol. 20; no. 1; pp. 26 - 29
• Main Authors: Langesæter, E, Rosseland, L.A, Stubhaug, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2011
• Subjects: Adult; Anesthesia & Perioperative Care; Anesthesia, Obstetrical; Anesthesia, Spinal; Blood Pressure - drug effects; Cardiac output; Cardiac Output - drug effects; Female; Heart Rate - drug effects; Hemodynamics - drug effects; Humans; Invasive monitoring; LiDCOplus; Neuraxial anaesthesia; Obstetrics and Gynecology; Oxytocics - adverse effects; Oxytocin; Oxytocin - adverse effects; Pre-Eclampsia - physiopathology; Pregnancy; Severe preeclampsia; Vascular Resistance; Young Adult; Neuraxial anaesthesia; Severe preeclampsia; Cardiac output; LiDCOplus; Oxytocin; Invasive monitoring
• ISSN: 0959-289X; 1532-3374
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijoa.2010.10.004

Abstract Background Several previous publications demonstrate the significant haemodynamic effects of oxytocin in healthy pregnant women, but there is only one publication of the oxytocin effects in women with severe preeclampsia. We investigated the haemodynamic effects of oxytocin in women with severe preeclampsia using invasive haemodynamic monitoring. Methods Eighteen women with severe preeclampsia were included in this observational study. All women had continuous invasive haemodynamic monitoring during spinal anaesthesia for caesarean section using the LiDCOplus monitor. Preeclamptic patients were given intravenous boluses of 5 IU oxytocin following delivery. Results Following an intravenous bolus of 5 IU oxytocin all patients had an increase in heart rate, a decrease in systemic vascular resistance and a decrease in blood pressure. Five patients had a decrease in cardiac output due to an inability to increase stroke volume. Conclusions The haemodynamic effects of oxytocin in women with severe preeclampsia may be less predictable compared to findings in healthy pregnant women, suggesting that oxytocin should be given with caution in women with severe preeclampsia.