Autonomic cardiovascular control in pregnancy. 1996

E M Ekholm, and R U Erkkola
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Turku University Hospital, Finland.

Pregnancy is associated with profound adaptive changes in the maternal hemodynamics. Although the autonomic nervous system plays a central role in the adaptation of the cardiovascular system to various needs, its role in the adaptation of the circulation to the demands of pregnancy is poorly understood. This paper reviews the literature of autonomic cardiovascular control in pregnancy as studied with the cardiovascular reflex tests. A Medline search and manual cross-referencing for prior publications were used. All papers found on the hemodynamic effects of the Valsalva maneuver, the orthostatic test, the deep breathing test, the isometric handgrip test and maternal heart rate variability in pregnancy were reviewed and all publications that studied short-term changes in maternal heart rate and blood pressure were included. The beginning of pregnancy is associated with sympathetic reactivity, whereas the latter half of pregnancy is characterized by increased hemodynamic stability during orthostatic stress. The heart rate response to the Valsalva maneuver is blunted in mid-pregnancy, possibly due to changes in the baroreflex and increased maternal blood volume. Heart rate variability is significantly reduced in the second trimester. Cardiovascular reflex tests can be used to study drug effects on maternal circulation non-invasively.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D011247 Pregnancy The status during which female mammals carry their developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero before birth, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH. Gestation,Pregnancies
D001794 Blood Pressure PRESSURE of the BLOOD on the ARTERIES and other BLOOD VESSELS. Systolic Pressure,Diastolic Pressure,Pulse Pressure,Pressure, Blood,Pressure, Diastolic,Pressure, Pulse,Pressure, Systolic,Pressures, Systolic
D002320 Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena Processes and properties of the CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM as a whole or of any of its parts. Cardiovascular Physiologic Processes,Cardiovascular Physiological Processes,Cardiovascular Physiology,Cardiovascular Physiological Concepts,Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomenon,Cardiovascular Physiological Process,Physiology, Cardiovascular,Cardiovascular Physiological Concept,Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomenas,Concept, Cardiovascular Physiological,Concepts, Cardiovascular Physiological,Phenomena, Cardiovascular Physiological,Phenomenon, Cardiovascular Physiological,Physiologic Processes, Cardiovascular,Physiological Concept, Cardiovascular,Physiological Concepts, Cardiovascular,Physiological Phenomena, Cardiovascular,Physiological Phenomenon, Cardiovascular,Physiological Process, Cardiovascular,Physiological Processes, Cardiovascular,Process, Cardiovascular Physiological,Processes, Cardiovascular Physiologic,Processes, Cardiovascular Physiological
D005260 Female Females
D006339 Heart Rate The number of times the HEART VENTRICLES contract per unit of time, usually per minute. Cardiac Rate,Chronotropism, Cardiac,Heart Rate Control,Heartbeat,Pulse Rate,Cardiac Chronotropy,Cardiac Chronotropism,Cardiac Rates,Chronotropy, Cardiac,Control, Heart Rate,Heart Rates,Heartbeats,Pulse Rates,Rate Control, Heart,Rate, Cardiac,Rate, Heart,Rate, Pulse
D006439 Hemodynamics The movement and the forces involved in the movement of the blood through the CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM. Hemodynamic
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D014636 Valsalva Maneuver Forced expiratory effort against a closed GLOTTIS. Valsalva's Maneuver,Maneuver, Valsalva,Maneuver, Valsalva's,Maneuvers, Valsalva,Valsalva Maneuvers
D015444 Exercise Physical activity which is usually regular and done with the intention of improving or maintaining PHYSICAL FITNESS or HEALTH. Contrast with PHYSICAL EXERTION which is concerned largely with the physiologic and metabolic response to energy expenditure. Aerobic Exercise,Exercise, Aerobic,Exercise, Isometric,Exercise, Physical,Isometric Exercise,Physical Activity,Acute Exercise,Exercise Training,Activities, Physical,Activity, Physical,Acute Exercises,Aerobic Exercises,Exercise Trainings,Exercise, Acute,Exercises,Exercises, Acute,Exercises, Aerobic,Exercises, Isometric,Exercises, Physical,Isometric Exercises,Physical Activities,Physical Exercise,Physical Exercises,Training, Exercise,Trainings, Exercise

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