Anesthetic management of women with heart failure during pregnancy - a retrospective cohort study

During pregnancy, there is an increase in plasma volume, heart rate and cardiac output,1-5 which may precipitate heart failure in women with underlying cardiac disease. Furthermore, during labor and delivery, additional hemodynamic stresses including tachycardia, increased blood pressure and auto-transfusion occur. Administration of oxytocin and intravenous fluids, physiological effects of an active second stage of labor, and the consequences of regional and general anesthetic techniques on the autonomic nervous system and myocardium further contribute to cardiac decompensation.
Source: International Journal of Obstetric Anesthesia - Category: Anesthesiology Authors: Tags: Original Article Source Type: research