Bioimpedance cardiography in pregnancy: A longitudinal cohort study on hemodynamic pattern and outcome

• Published in: BMC pregnancy and childbirth Vol. 16; no. 1; p. 128
• Main Authors: Andreas, Martin, Kuessel, Lorenz, Kastl, Stefan P, Wirth, Stefan, Gruber, Kathrin, Rhomberg, Franziska, Gomari-Grisar, Fatemeh A, Franz, Maximilian, Zeisler, Harald, Gottsauner-Wolf, Michael
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central 01.06.2016
• Subjects: Adaptation, Physiological; Adult; Birth Weight; Blood Pressure; Cardiac function; Cardiography, Impedance; Cohort analysis; Diabetes; Disease; Electrocardiography; Family medical history; Female; Gestational Age; Health risk assessment; Healthy Volunteers; Heart Rate; HELLP Syndrome - physiopathology; Humans; Hypertension; Infant, Newborn; Longitudinal Studies; Patients; Postpartum Period - physiology; Pre-Eclampsia - physiopathology; Preeclampsia; Pregnancy; Pregnancy - physiology; Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular - diagnosis; Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular - physiopathology; Pregnancy Trimesters - physiology; Prospective Studies; Stroke; Stroke Volume; Ultrasonic imaging; Vascular Resistance; Womens health; HELLP; High-risk pregnancy; Hypertension in pregnancy; Preeclampsia; Eclampsia
• ISSN: 1471-2393; 1471-2393
• DOI: 10.1186/s12884-016-0918-8

Pregnancy associated cardiovascular pathologies have a significant impact on outcome for mother and child. Bioimpedance cardiography may provide additional outcome-relevant information early in pregnancy and may also be used as a predictive instrument for pregnancy-associated diseases. We performed a prospective longitudinal cohort trial in an outpatient setting and included 242 pregnant women. Cardiac output and concomitant hemodynamic data were recorded from 11(th)-13(th) week of gestation every 5(th) week as well as at two occasions post partum employing bioimpedance cardiography. Cardiac output increased during pregnancy and peaked early in the third trimester. A higher heart rate and a decreased systemic vascular resistance were accountable for the observed changes. Women who had a pregnancy-associated disease during a previous pregnancy or developed hypertension or preeclampsia had a significantly increased cardiac output early in pregnancy. Furthermore, an effect of cardiac output on birthweight was found in healthy pregnancies and could be confirmed with multiple linear regression analysis. Cardiovascular adaptation during pregnancy is characterized by distinct pattern described herein. These may be altered in women at risk for preeclampsia or reduced birthweigth. The assessment of cardiac parameters by bioimpedance cardiography could be performed at low costs without additional risks.