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. 2021 Feb 11;49(5):566-571.
doi: 10.1515/jpm-2020-0169. Print 2021 Jun 25.

Comparison of maternal third trimester hemodynamics between singleton pregnancy and twin pregnancy

Romina-Marina Sima  1   2 , Sebastian Findeklee  3   4 , Ioana-Anca Bădărău  1 , Mircea-Octavian Poenaru  1   2 , Cristian Scheau  1 , Liana Pleș  1   2
Affiliations

Comparison of maternal third trimester hemodynamics between singleton pregnancy and twin pregnancy

Romina-Marina Sima et al. J Perinat Med. .

Abstract

Objectives: The impedance cardiography (ICG) technique measures the variation of impedance in the thorax due to the physical contractile activity of the heart. Twin pregnancy is characterized by greater maternal hemodynamic changes than a singleton pregnancy.

Methods: In a study on 121 pregnant women in the last trimester we performed ICG, evaluating the following hemodynamic parameters: stroke volume, heart rate, cardiac output, ventricular ejection time, left ventricular ejection time, thoracic impedance, and systemic vascular resistance.

Results: The study included singleton and twin pregnancies. Heart rate values in women with single fetus was lower than in those carrying twins (85 vs. 100 beats/min, p=0.021) as were the stroke volume values (64 vs. 83 mL, p=0.010) and the cardiac output (p<0.0001). Systemic vascular resistance decreased in twin pregnancies compared to singleton pregnancy (p=0.023).

Conclusions: ICG studies are rare, and the validation of their results is an ongoing process. However, the ICG technique is applicable in the third trimester of pregnancy and can yield important information regarding the hemodynamic profile of singleton and twin pregnancies, revealing maternal heart changes specific to twin pregnancies.

Keywords: hemodynamic parameters; impedance cardiography; singleton pregnancy; twin pregnancy.

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