RESUMEN
Maternal cardiac output changes were evaluated in 10 patients undergoing second-trimester abortion induced by prostaglandin E2 suppositories. The peak cardiac output increased by an average of 64.5% above preinduction values. This is similar to the percent increase described during oxytocin-induced labor at term. Inasmuch as resting cardiac output tends to be higher in midpregnancy than at term, absolute values during prostaglandin E2 induction were higher than those observed in laboring term patients.
PIP: Maternal cardiac output changes were evaluated in 10 patients undergoing 2nd trimester abortion induced by prostaglandin E2 suppositories. The peak cardiac output increased by an average of 64.5% above preinduction values. This is similar to the % increase described during oxytocin-induced labor term. Inasmuch as resting cardiac output tends to be higher in midpregnancy than at term, absolute values during prostaglandin E2 induction were higher than those observed in laboring term patients. Although the mean cardiac output increase was less among patients undergoing pregnancy termination for fetal death in utero versus viable fetus, statistical significance was not reached. Whether other methods used to induce labor for 2nd trimester abortion cause similar increases in cardiac output is unknown. With patients known or suspected to have cardiovascular disease, the increase of cardiac output that occurs during induction of labor for 2nd trimester abortion should be considered. Surgical dilatation and evacuation is an alternative, since this method may impose less cardiovascular alterations.