Premium
Human fetal foramen ovale flow velocity waveforms relative to fetal breathing movements in normal term pregnancies
Author(s) -
van Eyck J.,
Stewart P. A.,
Wladimiroff J. W.
Publication year - 1991
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 - 10.1046/j.1469-0705.1991.01010005.x
Subject(s) - medicine , foramen ovale (heart) , fetus , cardiology , breathing , blood flow , fetal circulation , patent foramen ovale , anesthesia , anatomy , pregnancy , placenta , migraine , biology , genetics
The relationship between foramen ovale flow velocity waveforms and high‐amplitude fetal breathing movements was studied in ten normal term pregnancies using Doppler ultrasonography. Peak systolic and averaged flow velocities demonstrated a statistically significant increase during fetal breathing activity, suggesting a raised pressure gradient between the right and left atria. This could be explained by a temporal reduction in pulmonary venous return to the left atrium during the inspiratory phase of the fetal breathing cycle. The breathing‐related increase in foramen ovale flow velocity suggests that fetal breathing activity facilitates the distribution of well‐oxygenated blood to the aorta and cerebral circulation. Copyright © 1991 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology