Effect of a nitric oxide donor on maternal hemodynamics in fetal growth restriction.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect on maternal cardiovascular parameters of treatment with a nitric oxide (NO) donor and plasma volume expansion in pregnancies complicated by fetal growth restriction (FGR).

METHODS: Twenty-six pregnant women with a diagnosis of FGR were treated with transdermal patches of a NO donor and plasma volume expansion by co-administration of oral fluids. We compared the treated group to a historical control group of untreated FGR patients. Hemodynamic indices were obtained using the UltraSonic Cardiac Output Monitor system.

RESULTS: At diagnosis, the two groups were similar in terms of maternal and hemodynamic characteristics. In the treated group, we found a significant increase in maternal cardiac output and stroke volume and a decrease in systemic vascular resistance after 2 weeks of therapy. No significant differences were found 2 weeks after diagnosis in the untreated group. The treated group delivered infants with higher birth-weight centile than did the untreated control group.

CONCLUSIONS: The combined therapeutic approach of NO donor administration and plasma volume expansion in FGR apparently improves significantly maternal hemodynamic indices. Copyright © 2017 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.