CARDIAC-FUNCTION IN FETUSES AND NEWBORNS EXPOSED TO LOW-DOSE ASPIRIN DURING PREGNANCY

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to evaluate cardiac function in fetuses exp osed to low-dose aspirin. STUDY DESIGN: To assess its efficacy in prev enting preeclampsia, 60 mg/day aspirin or a matching placebo was admin istered to women in a double-blind fashion during the second and third trimesters. As a part of this study, 146 echo Doppler studies were pe rformed on 63 fetuses from 15 to 40 weeks' gestation. These studies al lowed assessment of systolic and diastolic cardiac function. Cardiac f unction was also assessed in 87 neonates. RESULTS: Throughout gestatio n ductus arteriosus flow velocity, right ventricular output and diasto lic area, and left ventricular output and diastolic area all increased and were similar in both aspirin- and placebo-exposed fetuses. Fetal diastolic flow velocities were also alike in both groups. The two grou ps had similar gestational ages at delivery (39.2 +/- 2.3 vs 38.7 +/- 2.7 weeks) and birth weights (3174 +/- 575 vs 3105 +/- 579 gm, respect ively). Furthermore, there was no difference in fractional shortening, cardiac output, prevalence of tricuspid regurgitation, or patency of the ductus arteriosus at birth between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The circulation of fetuses and newborns is not affected adversely by expo sure to low-dose aspirin during gestation.