PERIPHERAL CAPILLAROSCOPIC FINDINGS AND BLOOD RHEOLOGY DURING NORMAL-PREGNANCY

Peripheral capillary microscopy and blood theology where used to inves tigate circulatory changes during normal pregnancy. The first part of the investigation was designed as a cross-sectional study in which cap illary morphology and blood flow in the first (n = 24) and third trime ster (n = 15) of pregnancy was compared with non-pregnant controls (n = 15). In the second part a longitudinal comparison of capillaroscopic and hemorheological findings throughout pregnancy was performed in 12 women with four measurements at 10-week intervals. In addition, in th is group hemorheological measurements were carried out. Both the cross -sectional as well as the longitudinal group showed a significant incr ease in capillary blood flow velocity which was already present in the first trimester. Throughout pregnancy a gradual enlargement of the pe ricapillar papilla was seen, reflecting water retention in the interst itial tissue. At low shear rates a significant increase in viscosity w as found at the end of pregnancy both in whole blood and at a standard ized hematocrit of 45%. Capillaroscopy appears to be an appropriate me thod to study circulatory changes throughout pregnancy and its value a s a diagnostic tool to detect early pathological developments is the o bjective of a future investigation.