The influence of high maternal body mass index (≥35 kg/m²) on haemodynamic parameters during pregnancy: a prospective...

Maternal obesity is a growing global health concern, yet its impact on maternal haemodynamic throughout pregnancy remains underexplored. We investigated haemodynamic adaptations across gestation in women with high body mass index (BMI) (≥35 kg/m²) and results were compared to low-risk controls (BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m²).

This prospective observational study used non-invasive cardiac output monitoring (NICOM; Baxter Healthcare, Deerfield, IL) to assess maternal haemodynamic parameters, including cardiac output (CO), stroke volume (SV), total peripheral resistance (TPR), systolic blood pressure (sBP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) in pregnant women with high BMI. Assessments were carried out across five gestational windows (11-19 + 6, 20-27 + 6, 28-33 + 6, 34-37 + 6 and ≥38 weeks). Results were compared to low-risk healthy controls (BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m²).

A total of 329 women were recruited, including 125 with high BMI and 189 controls. Across all gestational windows, women with high BMI consistently demonstrated significantly higher CO and SV. Compared to controls, median CO was high among women with high BMI, at 11-19 + 6 weeks [8.8 L/min (IQR 7.2-9.9) versus 6.7 L/min (5.8-7.6); p < .001]; median SV was 104.2 mL (93.7-124.9) versus 81.9 mL (74.3-94.0) (p < .001). This trend persisted at later gestations. In contrast, median TPR was significantly lower in the high BMI group; at 28-33 + 6 weeks, 847 dyn·s·cm^-5 (unit of measurement of TPR: dynes·seconds per centimetre to the fifth power) (783-937) versus 1083 (924-1161) in the controls (p < .001). Despite reduced TPR, sBP and MAP were higher in women with high BMI throughout pregnancy. Heart rate (HR) and diastolic blood pressure (dBP) did not differ significantly between groups at any gestational window.

Pregnant women with high BMI have a distinctive haemodynamic profile characterised by high CO with a compensatory reduction in TPR. Further research is required to assess the risk of placental mediated diseases in that group.