Aortocaval compression syndrome explained

Synonym:	Supine hypotensive syndrome
Specialty:	Obstetrics and gynaecology

Aortocaval compression syndrome also known as Supine hypotensive syndrome is compression of the abdominal aorta and inferior vena cava by the gravid uterus when a pregnant woman lies on her back, i.e. in the supine position. It is a frequent cause of low maternal blood pressure (hypotension), which can result in loss of consciousness^[1] and in extreme circumstances fetal demise.^{[2] [3]}

Signs and symptoms

Aortocaval compression syndrome may cause syncope, restlessness, dizziness, headache, tinnitus, visual disturbances, numbness or paresthesia of the limbs, abdominal/chest discomfort or pain, nausea, and vomiting.^[4] Some patients may be asymptomatic.^[5]

See also

• Inferior vena cava syndrome
• Complications of pregnancy

Further reading

• Chen . Shouming . Wu . Lan . Jiang . Xiaoqin . Aortocaval compression resulting in sudden loss of consciousness and severe bradycardia and hypotension during cesarean section in a patient with subvalvular aortic stenosis . BMC Anesthesiology . 19 . 1 . 2019 . 116 . 1471-2253 . 31272377 . 6610927 . 10.1186/s12871-019-0791-x . free . none.
• AJ . Lee . R . Landau . Aortocaval Compression Syndrome: Time to Revisit Certain Dogmas . Anesthesia and Analgesia . 2017 . Anesth Analg . 125 . 6 . 1975–1985 . 1526-7598 . 28759487 . 10.1213/ANE.0000000000002313 . free . none.

External links

• The Free Dictionary
• StatPearls

Notes and References

1. Kiefer R, Ploppa A, Dieterich H . [Aortocaval compression syndrome] . Der Anaesthesist . 52 . 11 . 1073–83; quiz 1084 . 2003 . 14992095 . 10.1007/s00101-003-0596-6. 8424182 .
2. Banaś T, Godula Z, Herman R . [Aortocaval compression syndrome as an explanation of sudden intrauterine death of mature twins at term. Case report] . Ginekol Pol . 75 . 8 . 633–7 . 2004 . 15517787.
3. Book: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Nancy Caroline's Emergency Care in the Streets . 8th . Jones & Bartlett Publishers. 2018. 2036.
4. Zhao . Pei-Shan . Supine Hypotensive Syndrome: A Comprehensive Review of Literature . Translational Perioperative and Pain Medicine . Transpopmed . September 1, 2014 . December 29, 2023 .
5. SW . Lee . KS . Khaw . WD . Ngan Kee . TY . Leung . LA . Critchley . Haemodynamic effects from aortocaval compression at different angles of lateral tilt in non-labouring term pregnant women . British Journal of Anaesthesia . 2012 . Br J Anaesth . 109 . 6 . 950–956 . 1471-6771 . 23059960 . 10.1093/bja/aes349 . free.