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Application of high‐intensity focused ultrasound for umbilical artery occlusion in a rabbit model
Author(s) -
Ichizuka K.,
Ando S.,
Ichihara M.,
Ishikawa T.,
Uchiyama N.,
Sasaki K.,
Umemura S.,
Matsuoka R.,
Sekizawa A.,
Okai T.,
Akabane T.,
Kushima M.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
ultrasound in obstetrics and gynecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.202
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1469-0705
pISSN - 0960-7692
DOI - 10.1002/uog.4008
Subject(s) - medicine , umbilical artery , blood flow , fetus , ultrasound , umbilical vein , artery , radiology , anatomy , surgery , pregnancy , biochemistry , genetics , chemistry , in vitro , biology
Abstract Objectives To investigate the application of high‐intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) for fetal umbilical artery blood flow occlusion in a rabbit model. Methods A prototype HIFU transducer in combination with an imaging probe with Doppler capability was constructed. Using this transducer, HIFU was applied at 1.4, 2.75 or 5.5 kW/cm 2 through the maternal abdominal skin to the fetal intra‐abdominal umbilical arteries of four time‐mated Japanese White rabbits (11 fetuses) on gestational day 25. Courses of 5‐s HIFU exposure were performed until cessation of umbilical blood flow and cardiac arrest were confirmed by Doppler ultrasonography. Fetal necropsy was performed and exposed lesions were assessed by microscopic histological analysis. Results The mean diameter of the fetal umbilical artery was 0.6 ± 0.2 mm and the mean peak systolic velocity of arterial blood flow was 44.7 ± 18.5 cm/s. When HIFU was applied at 5.5 kW/cm 2 , blood flow was completely occluded within 15 courses. HIFU exposure brought about vacuolar degeneration and destruction of elastic fibers in the tunica media of the artery. Conclusions HIFU can be used to occlude umbilical artery blood flow in fetal rabbits. Copyright © 2007 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.