During pregnancy, the cardiac output increases.
This increase occurs as a result of an increase of both stroke volume and heart rate.
• A parturient with a fixed cardiac lesion such as mitral or aortic stenosis cannot increase her cardiac output to meet the increased demands placed upon her,
and as such, is at risk for the development of heart failure.
• A decrease in functional residual capacity results in hypoxemia during periods of apnea.
• While the red cell mass and plasma volume are increased, the increase is generally well tolerated by an individual with cardiac disease.