Effect of uterine contractions on left atrial pressure in a pregnant woman with mitral stenosis.

Several studies of peripartum haemodynamics in normal pregnancies have been performed.1-3 The results, however, are somewhat confusing, probably because of methodological factors and the use of indirect methods to assess haemodynamic variables.3 We are aware of only one study on peripartum haemodynamics in parturients with mitral stenosis in which a pulmonary artery catheter was used, but measurements were made only between contractions.4 We present a case showing a relation between direct measurements of left atrial pressure and uterine contractions in a pregnant woman during and after a closed mitral valve commissurotomy.