[Central hemodynamics in women during labor with combined use of prostaglandin E2 and prolonged epidural analgesia].

Changes in central hemodynamics have been studied in 60 women with weak labour efforts treated with prostenon and subject to prolonged epidural analgesia (PEA). It has been established that PEA has a pronounced antihypertensive effect, decreases the heart rate (HR), cardiac index (CI), reserve coefficient (RC) and integral tonic coefficient (ITC) and increases significantly stroke index (SI). Prostenon, having a modulating effect on the cardiovascular system, induces an increase in mean blood pressure (MBP) in hypotensive patients and a decrease in MBP in hypertensive patients, lowers SI and ITC and elevates HR, CI and RC. In combined application, prostenon compensates for a number of hemodynamic shifts caused by PEA. The method of labour stimulation described seems advisable in women with late toxemia of pregnancy, provided labour stimulation is started with prostenon administration.