title: Measure of hemodynamic patterns by thoracic electrical bioimpedance in normal pregnancy and in preeclampsia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the differences in the hemodynamics between normal pregnancy and preeclampsia, using thoracic electrical bioimpedance.
  
  
  METHODS
  We compared heart rate, end-diastolic volume, systolic volume, cardiac output, ejection fraction and peripheral vascular resistances in 18 healthy pregnant women with 15 with preeclamptic women at the following intervals: third trimester, 48 h post-partum, 2 and 6 months post-partum. We took the measurements by thoracic electrical bioimpedance. Statistical analysis was performed by means of Wilcoxon rank-sum test and p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The heart rate was lower in the preeclampsia group during the third trimester and the systolic volume was also lower at 48 h post-partum; this implies a lower cardiac output in women with preeclampsia during pregnancy and in the immediate puerperium. The systemic vascular resistances were higher in preeclampsia in the third trimester and at 48 h post-partum. At 2 and 6 months post-partum, the hemodynamic situation had equalized in both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Preeclampsia is a situation of low cardiac output and high peripheral resistances compared with a normal pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universitary Hospital Santa Cristina, Universidad Autónoma, C/ Maestro Vives, 2 228009 Madrid, Spain. lsanfrutosl@sego.es
authors.forename: Luis M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: San-Frutos
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fernández
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Almagro
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Barbancho
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Salazar
authors.forename: Tirso
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pérez-Medina
authors.forename: Beatriz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bueno
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bajo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002302:Cardiac Output / Q000502:physiology*; D017097:Electric Impedance; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011247:Pregnancy