[Hemodynamic and hemorheologic findings in patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension: comparison of pre-eclampsia and chronic hypertension].

Forty-five women with preeclampsia and 39 woman with chronic hypertension in pregnancy were studied by catheterization of the superior vena cava and by impedance cardiography before therapy was started. An initial hemorrheology and hemostaseologic protocol was prepared which included hematocrit, erythrocyte aggregation, erythrocyte deformability, plasma viscosity, colloid osmotic pressure, serum osmolality, uric acid, fibronectin, antithrombin III and fibrinogen. The hematocrit and the peripheral resistance were greater in preeclampsia than in essential hypertension. Moreover, preeclamptic patients showed a significantly lower cardiac output and central venous pressure than women with chronic hypertension. On the other hand, the plasma viscosity of women with essential hypertension increased, whereas patients with preeclampsia showed a lower erythrocyte deformability and a higher concentration of leukocytes. Finally, volume expansion with Hydroxyethyl-starch appears to be of therapeutic benefit for hypertensive patients with low cardiac output.