ABSTRACT
To search for possible effect of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHAS) on maternal cardiac function in term pregnancy, impedance cardiographic assessments were made on 15 normal full-term pregnant women before and 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 301 minutes after the administration of a 200 mg intravenous dose of DHAS in 20 mL of 5% dextrose. The cardiac output, stroke volume, heart rate, and mean arterial pressure were recorded. Maternal cardiac output increased from baseline by 20% (p < 0.05) after 15 minutes and the mean increase in stroke volume was 25% (p < 0.05) after 15 minutes. No change was found in heart rate or mean arterial blood pressure. DHAS induces a significant increase in both maternal stroke volume and cardiac output without change in heart rate or mean arterial pressure, which suggests a possible increase in cardiac contractility in term pregnancy.
Keywords
Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate - term pregnancy - impedance cardiography - cardiac output
