Pocket ObGyn – Respiratory Changes in Pregnancy
See Abbreviations
General (Clin Chest Med 2011;32:1)
- Upper airway: Mucosal hyperemia, edema, glandular May contribute to disordered breathing in sleep from obst. Mallampati score, neck circumference. “Rhinitis of Preg” present during last 6 w of Preg, disappears postpartum in absence of allergy or other pulm pathology.
- Chest wall: Compliance decreased. Widened subcostal angle, increased anteroposterior dimension mediated hormonally by relaxin. Changes peak at 37 Diaphragmatic excursion increased. Max inspiration/expiration pressures same as prior to Preg.
Lung Function
- Minute ventilation 20–50% by term (most during 1st trimester). progesterone &
CO2 production (VCO2) central stimuli for hyperventilation. Physiologic dyspnea of Preg may be awareness of stimulus to breathe.VT .
- Oxygen consump (VO2) is increased; respiratory exchange rate (VCO2/VO2) unchanged minimally increased
- FRC ¯ by diaphragm elevation, ¯ chest wall recoil, ¯ abd (Note: Obesity ® ¯ FRC & RV [air trapping]. In Preg, ¯ FRC w/ ¯ RV.) Airway resistance unchanged.
- (IC; IRV + VT) increases 5–10%. TLC is unchanged or ¯ minimally at
- FEV1, FEV1/FVC, flow/vol curve not significantly Abn spirometry sugg pathology.
- DLCO no change. Increased cardiac outpt offset by decreased
Intrapartum/Postpartum Changes
- Hyperventilation w/ pain/anxiety. Analgesia mitigates Minute ventilation varies widely.
- Hypocarbia can cause placental vasoconstriction ® hypoperfusion
- Postpartum, all above changes resolve, except for widened subcostal
Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) Analysis
Procedure
- Sterilely prep area overlying radial, femoral, brachial, dorsalis pedis, or axillary artery
- Consider local anesthesia over puncture Assess for collateral circulation.
- Obtain 2–3 mL bld in heparinized Remove air bubbles, place on ice for transport.
- Consider indwelling arterial catheter for serial
Considerations in Pregnancy (Clin Chest Med 2011;32(1))
- ¯pCO2 from ¯ serum bicarb compens for chronic respiratory alkalosis. pH (7.42–7.46).
- Chronic alkalosis stimulates 2,3-DPG w/ shift of Hgb dissociation curve; aids in placental O2 pO2 facilitates placental O2 exchange. PO2 significantly lower supine vs. sitting. High metabolic rate can cause rapid desaturation if apneic.
Definitions
- Acidemia: Arterial pH lower than nml (<35)
- Alkalemia: Arterial pH higher than nml (>45)
- Metabolic acidosis: Process that decreases serum HCO3 ®¯ pH (bicarb consump)
- Respiratory acidosis: Process that increases serum pCO2 ®¯ pH (hypoventilation)
- Metabolic alkalosis: Process that increases serum HCO3 ® pH (bicarb excess)
- Respiratory alkalosis: Process that decreases serum pCO2 ® pH (hyperventilation)
Normal Values
- Nonpregnant: pH, 35–7.45; pCO2, 32–45 mmHg; pO2, 72–104 mmHg; HCO3,22–30 mEq/L
Mean ABG values in pregnancy | |||||
N = 20 | 12 w | 24 w | 32 w | 38 w | Postpartum |
pH | 7.46 | 7.44 | 7.44 | 7.43 | 7.41 |
pCO2 | 29.4 (0.4) | 29.5 (0.7) | 30.3 (0.5) | 30.4 (0.6) | 35.3 (0.7) |
pO2 | 106.4 (1.1) | 103.1 (1.6) | 102.4 (1.2) | 101.8 (1) | 94.7 (1.5) |
From Templeton A, Kelman GR. Maternal blood-gases, (PAO2–PaO2), physiological shunt and VD/VT in normal pregnancy. Br J Anaesth. 1976;48(10):1001–1004. |
Diagnosis (Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine, 18th ed)
- Obtain ABG & electrolytes Use HCO3 from electrolytes.
- Determine whether simple or mixed d/o by assessing whether expected compensatory resp is “Compens” cannot change alkalemia to acidemia or vice versa. If apparent insuff or overexuberant compens, mixed d/o likely exists.
- If acidosis present, calculate AG: (Na -[Cl + HCO3]) w/ adjustment for albumin (nml AG » 5 ´ albumin)
Predicted changes for acid–base disorders | |
D/o | Compens |
Metabolic acidosis | PaCO2 = (1.5 ´ HCO3) + 8 ± 2 |
Metabolic alkalosis | PaCO2 will 6 mmHg per 10 mmol/L in [HCO3] |
Respiratory acidosis | |
Acute | [HCO3] will ¯ 0.2 mmol/L per mmHg ¯ in PaCO2 |
Chronic (>3–5 d) | [HCO3] will ¯ 0.4 mmol/L per mmHg ¯ in PaCO2 |
Respiratory alkalosis | |
Acute | [HCO3] will 0.1 mmol/L per mmHg in PaCO2 |
Chronic (>3–5 d) | [HCO3] will 0.4 mmol/L per mmHg in PaCO2 |
- Consider ÄAG/ÄHCO3 ratio to determine if simple high AG metabolic acidosis (ratiobtw 1 & 2). If ratio >2, likely additional metabolic If <1, likely additional nongap metabolic acidosis.
- Ddx guides clinical assessment & final dx:
For high AG metabolic acidosis: Renal failure, lactic acidosis, toxins, ketoacidosis. W/o high AG: Renal tubular acidosis, GI loss.
For metabolic alkalosis: Exogenous alkali, extracellular fluid contraction w/ hypoK, extracellular fluid expansion w/ hypoK/Mineralocort excess
For respiratory acidosis: Hypoventilation (obst, CNS depression, neuromuscular d/o, impaired gas exchange)
For respiratory alkalosis: Hyperventilation (secondary to hypoxia, Preg, pain, sepsis, drugs)