TY - JOUR
T1 - Aortic, pulmonary, and ductal peak velocities in symmetrical and asymmetrical fetal growth retardation
T2 - A different adaptation to placental insufficiency
AU - Bellotti, M.
AU - Ferrazzi, E.
AU - Barbera, A.
AU - D'Orta, G.
AU - Pardi, G.
AU - Thornburg, K. L.
PY - 1996
Y1 - 1996
N2 - Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the peak velocities of the outflow tract of the great vessels in symmetrical and asymmetrical growth-retarded fetuses. Methods: Aortic, pulmonary artery, and ductal peak velocities and the pulsatility index (PI) of the umbilical artery and of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) were measured by Doppler velocimetry in 31 symmetrically and 48 asymmetrically growth-retarded fetuses within 3 days before delivery. Results: In the symmetrical intrauterine growth retarded (IUGR) fetuses, the peak velocities were not significantly lower than in normal fetuses of comparable weight. In the asymmetrical IUGR fetuses, peak velocities were significantly lower than in normal fetuses (aorta, P < 0.001; pulmonary artery, P < 0.03; ductus arteriosus, P < 0.003). The PI of the MCA in the asymmetrical IUGR fetuses was significantly lower than that in the symmetrical IUGR fetuses. Twenty of 37 elective cesarean sections were performed for fetal distress in the asymmetrical group. Intrauterine deaths occurred only in the asymmetrical group with abnormal peak velocities. Conclusion: This study presents evidence that, in asymmetrical IUGR fetuses, the long-standing flow redistribution is associated with a significantly higher risk of impaired ejection velocities from the left and right ventricles and intrauterine distress.
AB - Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the peak velocities of the outflow tract of the great vessels in symmetrical and asymmetrical growth-retarded fetuses. Methods: Aortic, pulmonary artery, and ductal peak velocities and the pulsatility index (PI) of the umbilical artery and of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) were measured by Doppler velocimetry in 31 symmetrically and 48 asymmetrically growth-retarded fetuses within 3 days before delivery. Results: In the symmetrical intrauterine growth retarded (IUGR) fetuses, the peak velocities were not significantly lower than in normal fetuses of comparable weight. In the asymmetrical IUGR fetuses, peak velocities were significantly lower than in normal fetuses (aorta, P < 0.001; pulmonary artery, P < 0.03; ductus arteriosus, P < 0.003). The PI of the MCA in the asymmetrical IUGR fetuses was significantly lower than that in the symmetrical IUGR fetuses. Twenty of 37 elective cesarean sections were performed for fetal distress in the asymmetrical group. Intrauterine deaths occurred only in the asymmetrical group with abnormal peak velocities. Conclusion: This study presents evidence that, in asymmetrical IUGR fetuses, the long-standing flow redistribution is associated with a significantly higher risk of impaired ejection velocities from the left and right ventricles and intrauterine distress.
KW - Doppler ultrasonography
KW - Echocardiography
KW - Fetal heart
KW - Intrauterine growth retardation
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0029984723&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0029984723&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:0029984723
SN - 0939-6322
VL - 6
SP - 35
EP - 39
JO - Journal of Maternal-Fetal Investigation
JF - Journal of Maternal-Fetal Investigation
IS - 1
ER -