Physiology (Special) Flashcards
(34 cards)
What is the normal length of pregnancy ?
40 weeks
Physiological changes resulting from pregnancy?
- Changes aiding oxygen delivery
- Increase in uterine blood flow
- Protecting against blood during delivery
- Accommodation for enlarged uterus
CVS changes in pregnancy?
- CO increases by 50%
Characteristics of changes in cardiac output in pregnancy ?
- Majority of changes in the 1st trimester
- Increase of 30% by 12 weeks
- Peaks at 28 weeks at 50%
- Increases in CO is due to increase in SV
- May rise by 45% post-delivery
- Increase may occur with uterine contraction
- Risk of decompensation with cardiac history
Characteristics of changes in SV in pregnancy ?
- Increased by 35%
Characteristics of changes in HR in pregnancy ?
- Increased by 25%
Other changes in pregnancy include?
- Decrease in SVR
- Reduction in BP (SBP -10% & DBP-20%)
- ECG - LAD, ST-depression, flat T-wave
- Aorto-caval compression supine
Haematological changes?
- Anaemia of pregnancy (Plasma > RBC )
- RBC volume increase by 20%
- Plasma volume increase by 45%
- Increased WCC
- Increased fibrinogen and clotting factors
- Factor XI & XIII do not increase
- Decreased platelet count
- Reduced fibrinolysis
Respiratory changes?
- Increased by 15%
- RR stimulated by progesterone - CO2
- Occurs in the 1st trimester
- TV increases by 35%
- FRC decreased by 20% at term
- Reduced chest wall compliance
- Reduced CO2 + Resp alkalosis
- Increase 2,3-DPG
- Airway mucosal oedema
- Increased breast size
Respiratory changes?
- Increased by 15%
- RR stimulated by progesterone - CO2
- Occurs in the 1st trimester
- TV increases by 35%
- FRC decreased by 20% at term
- Reduced chest wall compliance
- Reduced CO2 + Resp alkalosis
- Increase 2,3-DPG
- Airway mucosal oedema
- Increased breast size
Renal and acid base changes ?
- Increased plasma flow + GFR by 50%
- Increased urea & creatinin clearance
- Glycosuria & proteinuria
- Reduced plasma osmolality
- Increased bicarbonate excretion
Endocrine and metabolic changes ?
- Increased size of pituitary gland
- Increased TBG, thyroxine & triiodothyronine
- Free thyroxine index is unchanged
- Increased insulin production - Resistance >
- Maternal hyperglycaemia
What substances do not cross the placenta?
- Insulin
- Transfer occurs via diffusion
Gestational diabetes?
Increased maternal blood sugar leads to increased fetal insulin production leading to fetal hypoglycaemia
GI & Heptaic changes?
- Cephaled displacement of stomach by uterus
- Increased intragastric pressure
- Decrease LOS tone - Risk of reflux
- Delayed gastric emptying
- Elevated LFTs
- Elevated ALP due to placental production
- Reduced protein synthesis by 25%
Neurological changes?
- Reduced volume of epidural space
- Increased sensitivity to opioids & sedatives
Pharmacokinetic changes?
- Increased volume of distribution will result in prolonged elimination half-life of many drugs
- Reduced plasma cholinesterase levels
Pharmacodynamic changes ?
- Reduced MAC
- Reduced dose of drugs
Changes in the placenta?
- Increased in to 10% of cardiac output
- Uterine blood flow increases from 50 to 700ml/min
Draw a schematic of fetal circulation?
Saturation at various point are shown in the image
Describe the fetal circulation?
- Deoxygenated blood arrives the placenta via the Uterine Artery (45%)
- Oxygenated and returned to fetus via umbilical vein (85%)
- About 60% of blood bypasses liver via ductus venosus
- Streams with venous blood from the body in the IVC & returns to LA via Foramen Ovale
Neonatal physiology at birth?
- At birth cessation of placental flow after clamping of cord
- Reduction in PVR + commencement of resp
- Blood flows through the lungs due to reduction in PA pressures and PVR
- Increased pressure LA > RA - Functional closure of FO
- Pressure in aorta increased as UV are clamped
- Increased SVR and reverse flow - Aorta to pulmonary artery via patent ductus arteriosus
What is oxygen consumption at rest ?
Approximately 250mls/min
What is oxygen consumption during exercise?
Approximately 4000mls/min