Cardiopulmonary and hematological parameters in pregnancy

Introduction: We have studied cardiopulmonary and hematological parameters in pregnancy, such as electrocardiographic parameters, peak expiratory flow rates and packed cell volumes in 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy. Material and methods: 50 consecutive normal healthy pregnant women in 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimester each, between 20- 30 years and 50 normal non-pregnant women of the same age group were enrolled. All subjects underwent onetime ECG, pulmonary function tests and complete hemogram. Results: Heart rate statistically significant increased in pregnant women in 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimester when compared to controls (p <0.01). PR interval showed statistically significant decrease in pregnant women in 2nd trimester and 3rd trimester when compared to controls (p < 0.01). QTc showed statistically significant increase in pregnant women all the trimesters when compared to controls with (p <0.01). QRS frontal axis showed statistically significant decrease in pregnant women of 1st trimester, 2nd trimester (p < 0.01) and 3rd trimester (p < 0.01) when compared to controls. PEFR values showed statistically highly significant decrease in pregnant women of 1st trimester, 2nd trimester and 3rd trimester when compared to controls with (p <0.001). PCV values showed statistically significant decrease in pregnant women 0f 1st Trimester, 2nd trimester and 3rd trimester when compared to controls with (p <0.01). Conclusion: We found a statistically significantly increase in the HR QTc, PEFR, PCV and a decrease in PR interval in 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy as compared to controls. Additionally, QRS frontal axis was also deviated to left side with advancing pregnancy.