Systolic times adjustment during pregnancy and puerperium
Cellina, G.; Binaghi, P.; Limonta, A.; Locicero, G.; Montanari, C.; Brina, A.
Giornale Italiano di Cardiologia 11(1): 63-67
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0046-5968 PMID: 7239105 Document Number: 177663
During pregnancy and the postpartum period important cardiovascular adjustments take place which for ethical views need a noninvasive approach. The alterations of the systolic time intervals in supine and lateral decubitus were studied during each trimester and at the 5th day and 5th wk after delivery. In the 1st part of pregnancy a significant reduction of the preejection time (PE) and PE/EVS with an increase of the left ventricular ejection time (EVS) become evident. In the 2nd part the picture reverses to a significantly reduced EVS and increased PE and PE/EVS. This picture, even if decreasing, is present in the postpartum period. The 1st part of pregnancy is characterized by a hyperkinetic condition; in the 2nd one the position of the woman becomes important and the reduction of the EVS is at least partially due to an impaired venous return (compression of the vena cava by the gravid uterus). The persistence of altered systolic time intervals in the postpartum (increased PE/EVS) suggest an impaired myocardial performance.