Spectral Heart Rate Variability During Late Gestation In Moderately Anaemic Pregnancy.

ABSTRACT

Abstracts Backround Third trimester of pregnancy is associated with profound adaptive autonomic cardiovascular changes. Anaemia in pregnancy, which is a common problem in India, is known to put pregnant female at higher cardiovascular risk. The aim of this study is to measure & compare the cardiovascular autonomic balance in normal pregnancy i.e. control group (Hb ≥ 11.0 g/dl) & pregnancy with moderate anaemia i.e. case group (Hb = 7.0 to 9.9 g/dl). Methodology: Spectral HRV was measured in supine position using digital polyrite and kubios HRV analysis software. Parameters LF(for sympathetic and parasympathetic modulation) , HF(for vagal modulation) in absolute power (ms 2 ) and normalised units (n.u.) and LF/HF ratio for sympathovagal balance were measured and analysed using SPSS 16.0 software. Results: A significantly high LF power(p<0.001) ,low HF power(p<0.001) and high LF/HF ratio (p<0.001) were observed during late gestation period in moderately anaemic pregnant females compared with healthy pregnant females. Conclusion: Third trimester of pregnancy with moderate anaemia has an elevated sympathetic activity and reduced parasympathetic activity characterised by compensatory rise in cardiac output mainly because of rise in stroke volume. Spectral HRV is a better test to diagnose above change than mere measuring heart rate and blood pressure.