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Application of ultrasonic transit time flowmetry to the measurement of umbilical vein blood flow at caesarean section
Author(s) -
Konje Justin C.,
Taylor David J.,
Rennie Michael J.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
bjog: an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.157
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1471-0528
pISSN - 1470-0328
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1996.tb09551.x
Subject(s) - umbilical vein , medicine , blood flow , umbilical cord , gestational age , caesarean section , fetus , ultrasound , anesthesia , obstetrics , pregnancy , anatomy , cardiology , chemistry , radiology , biochemistry , genetics , biology , in vitro
Objective To determine the applicability of ultrasonic transit time flowmetry to the measurement at caesarean section of umbilical vein blood flow rate and to examine the relationship between flow rates and birthweight for gestational age. Design Umbilical vein blood flow was measured at caesarean section using a transonic time flow probe on a loop of the umbilical cord in 33 appropriate and 21 small for gestational age fetuses. Results The mean (SD) umbilical vein blood flow in the 54 fetuses was 78.4 (23.1) ml kg −1 min −1 . There was a linear relation between umbilical vein blood flow measured by ultrasonic transit time flowmetry and birthweight ( r = 0.63, P < 0.0001 ). The mean umbilical vein blood flow in appropriate for gestational age fetuses [90 (18) ml kg −1 min −1 ] was greater than that in the small for gestational age group [66 (23) ml kg −1 min −1 ]; P < 0.04 ). Conclusions Umbilical vein blood flow measurements obtained by the ultrasonic transit time flowmetry technique are simple to perform and compare well with reported values obtained by the Doppler ultrasound technique (when vessel diameter is greater than 4 mm). Umbilical venous blood flow rate is significantly lower in small for gestational age fetuses.