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Abstract Background Oxytocin is an uterotonic drug with profound cardiovascular effects, which in compromised patients could lead to serious events. The objective was to investigate whether oxytocin affects cardiac function and vascular tone in large and small arteries. We hypothesized that oxytocin decreases arterial vascular tone and elevates cardiac output. Methods 51 pregnant women were randomised to treatment with 8.3 μg (5 U) oxytocin or placebo injection during first trimester surgical evacuation of the gravid uterus under general anaesthesia. Oxytocin or placebo was administered once either early or late in the procedure, in a double-blind fashion. Digital photoplethysmography pulse wave analysis variables, heart rate, mean arterial blood pressure and electrocardiographic ST index were recorded before and after anaesthesia and after each injection. Non-parametric statistics were used with a two-sided P value