MATERNAL AND FETAL HEMODYNAMICS DURING LATE PREGNANCY - EFFECT OF COMPRESSION HOSIERY TREATMENT

Objective: To study the effect of graduated compression on maternal an d fetal haemodynamics. Design: Measurement of maternal and fetal heart rate and uterine artery flow velocity (V(max)) in supine and standing positions with and without graduated compression hosiery (25 mmHg at the ankle). Setting: Department of Surgery, Lund University, S-22185 L und, Sweden. Patients: Eighteen women in gestational week 32-38. Resul ts: An increase in heart rate on standing was recorded for both mother and fetus. Graduated compression stockings decreased these changes. C yclic heart rate changes were not frequent. Uterine artery flow veloci ty did not change during change of posture or after compression. Concl usion: The utero-vascular syndrome was not common in the patients stud ied. Graduated compression reduced the vascular response to standing, measured as an increase of heart frequency at standing.