Impact of maternal height, weight at presentation and gestational weight gain on cardiac adaptation in pregnancy

OBJECTIVE

To compare longitudinal maternal hemodynamic changes throughout gestation between different groups stratified according to weight at presentation and assess the relative influence of height, weight at presentation and gestational weight gain on cardiac adaptation.

METHODS

This was a prospective, longitudinal study assessing maternal hemodynamics using bioreactance technology at 11 + 0 to 13 + 6, 19 + 0 to 24 + 0, 30 + 0 to 34 + 0 and 35 + 0 to 37 + 0 weeks' gestation. Women were divided into three groups according to maternal weight at presentation at the first visit at 11 + 0 to 13 + 6 weeks: Group 1, < 60.0 kg (n = 421); Group 2, 60.0-79.7 kg (n = 904); Group 3, > 79.7 kg (n = 427). A multilevel linear mixed-effects model was used to compare the repeated measures of hemodynamic variables, correcting for demographics, medical and obstetric history, pregnancy complications, maternal weight and time of evaluation. The linear mixed-effects model was then repeated using maternal height, weight at presentation and gestational weight gain Z-scores, and the standardized coefficients were used to evaluate the relative impact of each of these demographic parameters on longitudinal changes of maternal hemodynamics.

RESULTS

Compared with Group 1, women in Group 3 demonstrated higher cardiac output (CO), heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) throughout pregnancy. Groups 2 and 3 had higher stroke volume (SV) than Group 1 at the first visit, but their SV plateaued between the first and second visits and demonstrated an earlier significant decrease from the second visit to the third visit when compared with Group 1. Compared with Groups 1 and 2, there was a higher prevalence of pre-eclampsia, gestational hypertension and gestational diabetes in Group 3. Maternal height was the most important contributor to CO, peripheral vascular resistance (PVR), SV and HR, while weight at presentation was the most important contributor to MAP. Gestational weight gain was the second most important characteristic influencing the longitudinal changes of PVR and SV.

CONCLUSIONS

Women with greater weight at presentation have a pathological hemodynamic profile, with higher CO, HR and MAP compared to women with lower weight at presentation. Height is the main determinant of CO, SV, HR and PVR, weight is the main determinant of MAP, and gestational weight gain is the second most important determinant of SV and PVR. © 2022 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Telomere length and development of systemic lupus erythematosus: a Mendelian randomization study

OBJECTIVE

Previous observational studies demonstrated that a subset of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have markedly short telomere length (TL) in leukocytes. The purpose of this study is to test whether leukocyte TL is causally associated with risk of SLE.

METHODS

A two-sample Mendelian randomization (TSMR) analysis was applied to estimate causality of TL on SLE in European populations. A replication TSMR study using Asian genetic data was also conducted. A backward MR analysis was then performed to test effects of SLE on TL. The autoantibodies targeting telomere-associated protein (TERF1 autoantibodies) were detected in SLE, healthy controls and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

RESULTS

The results of inverse-variance weighted method (OR=2.96; 95% CI 1.58, 5.55; P<0.001) showed strong evidence for casual relationship between longer TL and risk of SLE in people with European ancestry. The outcomes of MR-Egger regression (OR=29.46, 95% CI 3.02, 287.60; P=0.033), and MR-PRESSO (OR=3.62; 95% CI 2.03, 6.46; P=0.002) also showed that longer TL was significantly associated with increased risk of SLE in European population. Sensitivity analyses using different methods and summary data sets showed that the results were still broadly consistent. Replication MR study using Asian genetic data yielded similar findings. However, the backward MR analysis showed that genetically predicted SLE was not causally associated with TL. In addition, we found that TERF1 autoantibodies were present in 2/40 (5.0%) patients with SLE.

CONCLUSION

In contrast with previous observational studies, MR analyses found that longer TL is significantly associated with increased risk of SLE.

Effect of maternal age on cardiac adaptation in pregnancy

OBJECTIVE

To compare longitudinal maternal hemodynamic changes throughout gestation between different age groups.

METHODS

This was a prospective longitudinal study assessing maternal hemodynamics using a bioreactance technique at 11 + 0 to 13 + 6, 19 + 0 to 24 + 0, 30 + 0 to 34 + 0 and 35 + 0 to 37 + 0 weeks' gestation. Women were divided into four groups according to maternal age at the first visit at 11 + 0 to 13 + 6 weeks: Group 1, < 25.0 years; Group 2, 25.0-30.0 years; Group 3, 30.1-34.9 years; and Group 4, ≥ 35.0 years. A multilevel linear mixed-effects model was performed to compare the repeat measurements of hemodynamic variables, correcting for demographics, medical and obstetric history, pregnancy complications, maternal age and gestational-age window.

RESULTS

The study population included 254 women in Group 1, 442 in Group 2, 618 in Group 3 and 475 in Group 4. Younger women (Group 1) had the highest cardiac output (CO) and lowest peripheral vascular resistance (PVR), and older women (Group 4) had the lowest CO and highest PVR throughout pregnancy. The higher CO seen in younger women was achieved through an increase in heart rate alone and not with a concomitant rise in stroke volume. Although the youngest age group demonstrated an apparently more favorable hemodynamic profile, it had the highest incidence of a small-for-gestational-age neonate. There was no significant difference between the groups in the incidence of pre-eclampsia.

CONCLUSION

Age-specific differences in maternal hemodynamic adaptation do not explain the differences in the incidence of a small-for-gestational-age neonate between age groups. © 2021 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Discovery of new serum biomarker panels for systemic lupus erythematosus diagnosis

OBJECTIVE

Clinical diagnosis of SLE is currently challenging due to its heterogeneity. Many autoantibodies are associated with SLE and are considered potential diagnostic markers, but systematic screening and validation of such autoantibodies is lacking. This study aimed to systematically discover new autoantibodies that may be good biomarkers for use in SLE diagnosis.

METHODS

Sera from 15 SLE patients and 5 healthy volunteers were analysed using human proteome microarrays to identify candidate SLE-related autoantibodies. The results were validated by screening of sera from 107 SLE patients, 94 healthy volunteers and 60 disease controls using focussed arrays comprised of autoantigens corresponding to the identified candidate antibodies. Logistic regression was used to derive and validate autoantibody panels that can discriminate SLE disease. Extensive ELISA screening of sera from 294 SLE patients and 461 controls was performed to validate one of the newly discovered autoantibodies.

RESULTS

A total of 31, 11 and 18 autoantibodies were identified to be expressed at significantly higher levels in the SLE group than in the healthy volunteers, disease controls and healthy volunteers plus disease control groups, respectively, with 25, 7 and 13 of these differentially expressed autoantibodies being previously unreported. Diagnostic panels comprising anti-RPLP2, anti-SNRPC and anti-PARP1, and anti-RPLP2, anti-PARP1, anti-MAK16 and anti- RPL7A were selected. Performance of the newly discovered anti-MAK16 autoantibody was confirmed by ELISA. Some associations were seen with clinical characteristics of SLE patients, such as disease activity with the level of anti-PARP1 and rash with the level of anti-RPLP2, anti-MAK16 and anti- RPL7A.

CONCLUSION

The combined autoantibody panels identified here show promise for the diagnosis of SLE and for differential diagnosis of other major rheumatic immune diseases.

Effect of race on longitudinal central hemodynamics in pregnancy

OBJECTIVE

To compare central hemodynamics between white, black and Asian women in pregnancy.

METHODS

This was a prospective, longitudinal study of maternal central hemodynamics in white, black and Asian women with a singleton pregnancy, assessed using a bioreactance method at 11 + 0 to 13 + 6, 19 + 0 to 24 + 0, 30 + 0 to 34 + 0 and 35 + 0 to 37 + 0 weeks' gestation. At each visit, cardiac output (CO), stroke volume (SV), heart rate (HR), peripheral vascular resistance (PVR) and mean arterial pressure were recorded. Multilevel linear mixed-effects analysis was performed to compare the repeated measures of the cardiac variables between white, black and Asian women, controlling for maternal characteristics, medical history and medication use.

RESULTS

The study population included 1165 white, 247 black and 116 Asian women. CO increased with gestational age to a peak at 32 weeks and then decreased; the highest CO was observed in white women and the lowest in Asian women. SV initially increased after the first visit but subsequently declined with gestational age in white women, decreased with gestational age in black women and remained static in Asian women. In all three study groups, HR increased with gestational age until 32 weeks and then remained constant; HR was highest in black women and lowest in white women. PVR showed a reversed pattern to that of CO; the highest values were in Asian women and the lowest in white women. The least favorable hemodynamic profile, which was observed in black and Asian women, was reflected in higher rates of a small-for-gestational-age infant.

CONCLUSIONS

There are race-specific differences in maternal cardiac adaptation to pregnancy. White women have the most favorable cardiac adaptation by increasing SV and HR, achieving the highest CO and lowest PVR. In contrast, black and Asian women have lower CO and higher PVR than do white women, with CO increasing through a rise in HR due to declining or static SV. Copyright © 2019 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Clinical validation of bioreactance for the measurement of cardiac output in pregnancy

Maternal cardiac dysfunction is associated with pre-eclampsia, fetal growth restriction and haemodynamic instability during obstetric anaesthesia. There is growing interest in the use of non-invasive cardiac output monitoring to guide antihypertensive and fluid therapies in obstetrics. The aim of this study was to validate thoracic bioreactance using the NICOM® instrument against transthoracic echocardiography in pregnant women, and to assess the effects of maternal characteristics on the absolute difference of stroke volume, cardiac output and heart rate. We performed a prospective study involving women with singleton pregnancies in each trimester. We recruited 56 women who were between 11 and 14 weeks gestation, 57 between 20 and 23 weeks, and 53 between 35 and 37 weeks. Cardiac output was assessed repeatedly and simultaneously over 5 min in the left lateral position with NICOM and echocardiography. The performance of NICOM was assessed by calculating bias, 95% limits of agreement and mean percentage difference relative to echocardiography. Multivariate regression analysis evaluated the effect of maternal characteristics on the absolute difference between echocardiography and NICOM. The mean percentage difference of cardiac output measurements between the two methods was ±17%, with mean bias of -0.13 l.min^-1 and limits of agreement of -1.1 to 0.84; stroke volume measurements had a mean percentage difference of ±15%, with a mean bias of -0.8 ml (-10.9 to 12.6); and heart rate measurements had a mean percentage difference of ±6%, with a mean bias of -2.4 beats.min^-1 (-6.9 to 2.0). Similar results were found when the analyses were confined to each individual trimester. The absolute difference between NICOM and echocardiography was not affected by maternal age, weight, height, race, systolic or diastolic blood pressure. In conclusion, NICOM demonstrated good agreement with echocardiography, and can be used in pregnancy for the measurement of cardiac function.

Maternal cardiac function in women at high risk for pre-eclampsia treated with 150 mg aspirin or placebo: an observational study

OBJECTIVE

To compare maternal haemodynamics in women at low and high risk for preterm pre-eclampsia (PE), and between those at high risk who are randomised to aspirin or placebo.

DESIGN

Prospective, longitudinal observational study.

SETTING

Maternity units in six UK hospitals.

POPULATION

Women participating in the Aspirin for Prevention of Preterm Pre-eclampsia (ASPRE) trial. The population comprised three groups of women: low risk for preterm PE (n = 1362), high risk for preterm PE treated with aspirin (n = 208) and high risk for preterm PE on placebo (n = 220).

METHODS

Women had four visits during pregnancy: 11-14, 19-24, 30-34, and 35-37 weeks' gestation. Blood pressure was measured with a device validated for pregnancy, and PE and maternal haemodynamics were assessed with a bioreactance monitor at each visit. A multilevel linear mixed-effects analysis was performed to examine longitudinal changes of maternal haemodynamic variables, controlling for demographic characteristics, past medical history and medication use.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Longitudinal changes of cardiac output (CO), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and peripheral vascular resistance (PVR).

RESULTS

The low-risk group demonstrated the expected changes with an increase in CO and reduction in MAP and PVR, with a quadratic change across gestation. In contrast, the high-risk groups had a declining CO, and higher MAP and PVR during pregnancy. The administration of aspirin did not appear to affect maternal haemodynamics.

CONCLUSIONS

Women screened as high risk for preterm PE have a pathological cardiac adaptation to pregnancy and the prophylactic use of aspirin (150 mg oral daily from the first trimester) in this group may not alter this haemodynamic profile.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

In women at high risk of pre-eclampsia, prophylactic use of aspirin may not alter the impaired maternal cardiac adaptation.

Maternal hemodynamics in screen-positive and screen-negative women of the ASPRE trial

OBJECTIVE

To compare maternal hemodynamics and perinatal outcome, in pregnancies that do not develop pre-eclampsia (PE) or deliver a small-for-gestational-age (SGA) neonate, between those identified at 11-13 weeks' gestation as being screen positive or negative for preterm PE, by a combination of maternal factors, mean arterial pressure, uterine artery pulsatility index, serum placental growth factor and pregnancy associated plasma protein-A.

METHODS

This was a prospective longitudinal cohort study of maternal cardiovascular function, assessed using a bioreactance method, in women undergoing first-trimester screening for PE. Maternal hemodynamics and perinatal outcome were compared between screen-positive and screen-negative women who did not have a medical comorbidity, did not develop PE or pregnancy-induced hypertension and delivered at term a live neonate with birth weight between the 5^th and 95^th percentiles. A multilevel linear mixed-effects model was used to compare the repeated measures of cardiac variables, controlling for maternal characteristics.

RESULTS

The screen-negative group (n = 926) had normal cardiac function changes across gestation, whereas the screen-positive group (n = 170) demonstrated static or reduced cardiac output and stroke volume and higher mean arterial pressure and peripheral vascular resistance with advancing gestation. In the screen-positive group, compared with screen-negative women, birth-weight Z-score was shifted toward lower values, with prevalence of delivery of a neonate below the 35^th , 30^th or 25^th percentile being about 70% higher, and the rate of operative delivery for fetal distress in labor also being higher.

CONCLUSION

Women who were screen positive for impaired placentation, even though they did not develop PE or deliver a SGA neonate, had pathological cardiac adaptation in pregnancy and increased risk of adverse perinatal outcome. Copyright © 2018 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Maternal hemodynamics, fetal biometry and Doppler indices in pregnancies followed up for suspected fetal growth restriction

OBJECTIVES

To assess whether, in a cohort of patients with a small-for-gestational-age (SGA) fetus with estimated fetal weight ≤ 10^th percentile, maternal hemodynamics, fetal biometry and Doppler indices at presentation can predict the subsequent development of an abnormal fetal Doppler index or delivery of a baby with birth weight < 3^rd percentile.

METHODS

This was a prospective observational cohort study conducted at a specialist clinic for the management of pregnancies with a SGA fetus at King's College Hospital, London, UK. The study population comprised 86 singleton pregnancies with a SGA fetus, presenting at a median gestational age of 32 (range, 26-35) weeks. We measured maternal cardiac function using a non-invasive transthoracic bioreactance monitor, as well as mean arterial pressure, fetal biometry, and umbilical artery (UA), fetal middle cerebral artery (MCA) and uterine artery (UtA) pulsatility indices (PI), and the deepest vertical pool of amniotic fluid. Z-scores of these variables were calculated based on reported reference ranges and the values were compared between pregnancies with evidence of an abnormal fetal Doppler index at presentation (Group 1), those that had developed an abnormal Doppler index at a subsequent visit (Group 2) and those that did not develop an abnormal Doppler index throughout pregnancy (Group 3). Abnormal fetal Doppler was defined as UA-PI > 95^th percentile and/or MCA-PI < 5^th percentile. Differences in measured variables at presentation were also compared between pregnancies delivering a baby with birth weight < 3^rd percentile and those delivering a baby with birth weight ≥ 3^rd percentile. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine significant predictors of birth weight < 3^rd percentile and evolution from normal to abnormal fetal Doppler.

RESULTS

In the study population, 14 (16%) cases were in Group 1, 19 (22%) in Group 2 and 53 (62%) in Group 3. Birth weight was < 3^rd percentile in 39 (45%) cases and ≥ 3^rd percentile in 47 (55%). There was decreased cardiac output and stroke volume and increased peripheral vascular resistance compared with a normal population, and the deviations from normal were most marked in Group 1. Pregnancies with birth weight < 3^rd percentile, compared with those with birth weight ≥ 3^rd percentile, had greater deviations from normal in fetal biometry, maternal cardiac output, stroke volume, heart rate, peripheral vascular resistance and UtA-PI. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that, in the prediction of birth weight < 3^rd percentile, maternal hemodynamic profile provided significant improvement to the prediction provided by maternal demographics, fetal biometry, UtA-PI, UA-PI and MCA-PI (difference between areas under receiver-operating characteristics curves, 0.18 (95% CI, 0.06-0.29); P = 0.002). In contrast, there was no significant independent contribution from maternal hemodynamics in the prediction of the subsequent development of abnormal fetal Doppler.

CONCLUSIONS

In pregnancies with a SGA fetus, there is decreased maternal cardiac output and stroke volume and increased peripheral vascular resistance, and the deviations from normal are most marked in cases of redistribution in the fetal circulation and reduced amniotic fluid volume. Copyright © 2018 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Effect of change in posture on maternal functional hemodynamics at 35-37 weeks' gestation

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effect of posture change from the supine to the sitting position and before and after passive leg raising on maternal functional hemodynamics in pregnant women at 35-37 weeks' gestation, and to compare the changes in pregnancies that subsequently developed pre-eclampsia (PE) or gestational hypertension (GH) with those that remained normotensive.

METHODS

In 2764 singleton pregnancies at 35-37 weeks' gestation, maternal cardiovascular parameters were measured using an automated non-invasive cardiac monitor. The hemodynamic response to a change from the supine to the sitting position and before and after passive leg raising in the left lateral position was examined and compared between women who subsequently developed PE or GH and those who remained normotensive.

RESULTS

In normotensive singleton pregnancies at 35-37 weeks' gestation, both change from the supine to the sitting position and passive leg raising were associated with an increase in cardiac index and stroke volume index and a decrease in total peripheral resistance index; there was a small increase in mean arterial pressure with both postural changes and a slight decrease in heart rate with passive leg raising. In pregnancies that subsequently developed PE or GH, compared with normotensive pregnancies, cardiac index and stroke volume index were lower and total peripheral resistance index was higher. In general, change from the supine to the sitting position and passive leg raising were associated with similar but less marked changes in cardiovascular parameters as in normotensive pregnancies.

CONCLUSIONS

Paradoxically, in late third-trimester normal pregnancy, both change from the supine to a sitting position and passive leg raising may result in an increase in preload with a consequent increase in cardiac and stroke volume indices and a decrease in total peripheral resistance index. In pregnancies that develop PE or GH, the effects of postural change on cardiovascular parameters are similar but less marked than in normotensive pregnancies. Copyright © 2017 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Maternal cardiac function at 35-37 weeks' gestation: relationship with birth weight

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the relationship between maternal cardiovascular parameters and neonatal birth weight and examine the potential value of these parameters in improving the prediction of small-for-gestational-age (SGA) and large-for-gestational-age (LGA) neonates provided by maternal characteristics and medical history.

METHODS

In 2835 singleton pregnancies maternal characteristics and medical history were recorded and maternal cardiovascular parameters were measured. The observed measurements of cardiovascular parameters were expressed as multiples of the normal median (MoM) values after adjustment for those characteristics found to provide a substantial contribution to their measurement. Regression analysis was used to determine the significance of association between the normalized values of the cardiovascular parameters with birth-weight Z-score. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was then used to determine if the maternal factors, fetal biometry and maternal cardiovascular parameters had a significant contribution to predicting SGA and LGA neonates. The performance of screening was determined by the area under receiver-operating characteristics curves (AUC).

RESULTS

In the study population there were significant positive associations between maternal cardiac output and heart rate with neonatal birth-weight Z-score, and significant negative associations between total peripheral resistance and mean arterial pressure (MAP) with neonatal birth-weight Z-score. In pregnancies delivering SGA neonates (n = 249 (8.8%)), cardiac output and heart rate were lower and total peripheral resistance and MAP were higher, whereas in pregnancies delivering LGA neonates (n = 292 (10.3%)) cardiac output and heart rate were higher and total peripheral resistance and MAP were lower. The performance of screening for delivery of SGA neonates achieved by maternal characteristics and fetal biometry was not improved by the measurement of maternal cardiovascular parameters. There was a small but significant improvement in the performance of screening for delivery of LGA neonates by maternal factors and fetal biometry with the addition of maternal heart rate (comparison of AUC, P = 0.0095).

CONCLUSIONS

There are significant associations between maternal cardiac output, heart rate, total peripheral resistance and MAP and neonatal birth-weight Z-score; such findings reflect the close relationship between maternal cardiac function and fetal demands. However, assessment of these parameters at 35-37 weeks' gestation is unlikely to improve substantially the performance of screening for SGA or LGA neonates provided by a combination of maternal factors and fetal biometry. Copyright © 2016 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Maternal cardiovascular function at 35-37 weeks' gestation: relation to maternal characteristics

OBJECTIVE

To examine the possible effects of maternal characteristics and obstetric and medical history on maternal cardiovascular parameters at 35-37 weeks' gestation.

METHODS

In 3013 singleton pregnancies at 35-37 weeks, maternal characteristics and medical history were recorded; uterine artery pulsatility index, mean arterial pressure (MAP) and maternal cardiovascular parameters were measured. Multivariable regression analysis was used to determine significant predictors of the cardiovascular parameters among gestational age (GA), maternal characteristics and medical history.

RESULTS

Multivariable regression analysis demonstrated that significant independent prediction of log₁₀ cardiac output and log₁₀ cardiac power was provided by GA, maternal age, weight, weight gain from the first trimester, height, racial origin, smoking, assisted conception and previous neonatal birth-weight Z-score in parous women. For log₁₀ total peripheral resistance, significant prediction was provided by GA, maternal age, height, racial origin, chronic hypertension, diabetes mellitus, assisted conception, previous neonatal birth-weight Z-score and prior pre-eclampsia (PE) in parous women. For log₁₀ stroke volume, significant prediction was provided by maternal age, height, racial origin, smoking, chronic hypertension and diabetes mellitus. For heart rate, significant prediction was provided by GA, weight, weight gain, height, racial origin, chronic hypertension, previous neonatal birth-weight Z-score and prior PE in parous women. For log₁₀ MAP, significant prediction was provided by maternal weight, racial origin, family history of PE, chronic hypertension and diabetes mellitus. For log₁₀ thoracic fluid capacity, significant prediction was provided by GA, maternal age, weight, height, racial origin and systemic lupus erythematosus or antiphospholipid syndrome. For log₁₀ ventricular ejection time, significant prediction was provided by GA, weight, height and racial origin.

CONCLUSION

Maternal cardiovascular parameters are affected by maternal characteristics and medical and obstetric history, and they should therefore be converted into multiples of the normal median adjusted for significant independent predictors before their inclusion in combined screening for PE. Copyright © 2016 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Maternal cardiac function at 35-37 weeks' gestation: prediction of pre-eclampsia and gestational hypertension

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the potential value of combining maternal factors with multiples of the normal median values of maternal cardiovascular parameters at 35-37 weeks' gestation in the prediction of pre-eclampsia (PE) and gestational hypertension (GH).

METHODS

In 2764 singleton pregnancies maternal characteristics and medical history were recorded; uterine artery pulsatility index (UtA-PI), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and maternal cardiovascular parameters were measured. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was then used to determine if the maternal factors and maternal cardiovascular parameters made a significant contribution to predicting PE and GH. The performance of screening was determined by the area under receiver-operating characteristics curves.

RESULTS

In pregnancies that subsequently delivered with PE or GH, total peripheral resistance and MAP were higher and maternal cardiac output was lower, mainly owing to a decrease in heart rate in PE and a decrease in stroke volume in GH. The increases in total peripheral resistance and MAP were inversely related to gestational age at delivery. The performance of screening for PE and GH achieved by maternal characteristics and medical history was improved by the inclusion of MAP, but not by UtA-PI or maternal cardiovascular parameters.

CONCLUSIONS

In women developing term PE total peripheral resistance and MAP are increased and maternal cardiac output is reduced. However, assessment of maternal cardiac function at 35-37 weeks' gestation is unlikely to improve the performance of screening for PE provided by maternal factors and MAP alone. Copyright © 2016 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.