Maternal hemodynamic changes associated with furosemide treatment.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the pharmacodynamic effects of furosemide in pregnancy.

METHODS

Twenty-one pregnant women who received furosemide 20 mg daily had cardiac output (CO), stroke volume (SV), and total peripheral resistance (TPR) measured by Doppler technique before and after treatment.

RESULTS

Furosemide was initiated at 22.4 +/- 6.0 weeks gestation. CO and SV decreased (mean +/- SD: 1.2 +/- 0.2 L/min and 17+/-3 mL, respectively), whereas TPR increased (101+/-26 dyne.sec.cm(-5); p < 0.001 for all) after 2.9+/-1.4 weeks. Hemodynamics did not approach the expected mean for pregnancy.

CONCLUSIONS

While furosemide improved the hyperdynamic circulation in pregnancy, it did not lower blood pressure or cause clinically significant vasoconstriction.