Assessing fluid effects during Cesarean delivery

The Influence of Intravascular Fluid Administration on Aortic Velocity Time Integral in Obstetric Patients Undergoing Cesarean Section

Observational Baylor College of Medicine · NCT04330742

This study is testing how giving fluids during Cesarean deliveries affects blood flow in pregnant women to help improve care in case of complications.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment50 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 35 Years
SexFemale
SponsorBaylor College of Medicine Academic / other
Locations1 site (Houston, Texas)
Trial IDNCT04330742 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study investigates the impact of fluid administration on aortic velocity time integral (VTI) during Cesarean sections in pregnant women. It aims to improve the assessment of fluid status in intrapartum patients, particularly in the context of potential hemorrhage and the physiological changes associated with pregnancy. The study utilizes echocardiography to measure fluid responsiveness, focusing on non-invasive techniques that can be safely applied in the obstetric population. By evaluating healthy pregnant women scheduled for elective Cesarean delivery, the study seeks to enhance understanding of fluid management in this high-risk group.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are healthy pregnant women aged 18-35, at term, scheduled for elective Cesarean delivery with planned neuraxial anesthesia.

Not a fit: Patients with significant comorbidities, emergency Cesarean sections, or those outside the specified age and BMI criteria may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved fluid management strategies during Cesarean deliveries, potentially reducing complications related to fluid overload and hemorrhage.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of echocardiography for fluid assessment in obstetrics is gaining interest, this specific approach remains relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in similar studies.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* healthy nulliparous or multiparous pregnant women with a term (\>37 weeks gestation)
* age 18-35
* singleton pregnancy
* scheduled for Cesarean delivery with planned neuraxial spinal or combined spinal epidural anesthesia
* American Society for Anesthesiologists physical status 2

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients without ability to provide informed consent
* American Society for Anesthesiologists physical status 3 or 4
* Emergency cesarean section
* BMI\>40
* Known cardiac and pulmonary comorbidities including chronic hypertension, preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, diabetes, asthma, renal disease
* Age \> 35

Where this trial is running

Houston, Texas

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Pregnancy RelatedHemorrhageFluid OverloadLabor Complicationobstetricsfluid responsivenessfluid resuscitation
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.