Haemodynamic effects of oxytocin in women with severe preeclampsia

Several previous publications demonstrate the significant haemodynamic effects of oxytocin in healthy pregnant women, but there is only one publication of the oxytocin effects in women with severe preeclampsia. We investigated the haemodynamic effects of oxytocin in women with severe preeclampsia using invasive haemodynamic monitoring.

Eighteen women with severe preeclampsia were included in this observational study. All women had continuous invasive haemodynamic monitoring during spinal anaesthesia for caesarean section using the LiDCOplus monitor. Preeclamptic patients were given intravenous boluses of 5IU oxytocin following delivery.

Following an intravenous bolus of 5IU oxytocin all patients had an increase in heart rate, a decrease in systemic vascular resistance and a decrease in blood pressure. Five patients had a decrease in cardiac output due to an inability to increase stroke volume.

The haemodynamic effects of oxytocin in women with severe preeclampsia may be less predictable compared to findings in healthy pregnant women, suggesting that oxytocin should be given with caution in women with severe preeclampsia.