Maternal cardiovascular adaptations to twin pregnancy.

Multiple pregnancy places increased demands on the maternal circulation. Maternal left ventricular size and performance were measured with M-mode echocardiography in women with twin pregnancy in the second and third trimesters, and the findings were compared to those in normal singleton pregnancies. As expected, cardiac output was greater during twin than during singleton pregnancy; however, end-diastolic ventricular dimension was not. Output was increased in twin pregnancy during the second and third trimesters by heart rate and also during the third trimester by stroke volume. Increased stroke volume was effected by increased shortening, thus strongly suggesting increased contractility. Increased maternal heart rate and contractility during multiple gestations suggest that cardiovascular reserve is reduced.