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Apparent liver blood flow during pregnancy: a serial study using indocyanine green clearance
S C Robson1, E Mutch, R J Boys
1Royal Postgraduate Medical School, Institute of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, London.
Abstract:
Serial measurements of apparent liver blood flow and cardiac output were performed in 12 women at 12-14, 24-26 and 36-38 weeks of pregnancy and then at 10-12 weeks after delivery. Apparent liver blood flow was calculated from indocyanine green clearance. Cardiac output was measured by Doppler and cross-sectional echocardiography at the aortic valve. Postnatal apparent liver blood flow was 1.81 l/min and no significant change was demonstrated during pregnancy. In contrast cardiac output decreased from 7.46 l/min at 36-38 weeks gestation to 4.90 l/min after delivery. Apparent liver blood flow accounted for 24% of cardiac output during pregnancy. This increased to 37% after delivery.