T Scholbach1, C Heien2, T M Eggebø2,3. 1. Leipzig Ultrasound Institute, Leipzig, Germany. 2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway. 3. National Center for Fetal Medicine, Trondheim University Hospital (St Olavs Hospital), Trondheim, Norway.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To explore changes in volume flow in the umbilical vein in healthy second-trimester fetuses. METHODS: This was a prospective observational pilot study performed at Stavanger University Hospital, Norway, between May and October 2013. Serial three-dimensional ultrasound recordings from the umbilical vein were acquired every 30 s in a 5-min period in 43 fetuses at 17-20 weeks' gestation. The recordings were analyzed with pixelwise spatially angle-corrected volume flow measurements. RESULTS: We observed variation in the umbilical vein volume flow in all fetuses, ranging from a mean minimum of 1.01 mL/s to a mean maximum of 2.60 mL/s. The minimum of all measurements was 57% compared with the mean value and the maximum was 148% of the mean value. The individual flow volume measurements ranged between 0.11 and 4.14 mL/s (mean, 1.76 mL/s). Within this range, an undulating course of all perfusion parameters was observed, with a full period of 4-5 min duration. CONCLUSION: Healthy second-trimester fetuses show cyclical variation in blood flow in the umbilical vein.
OBJECTIVE: To explore changes in volume flow in the umbilical vein in healthy second-trimester fetuses. METHODS: This was a prospective observational pilot study performed at Stavanger University Hospital, Norway, between May and October 2013. Serial three-dimensional ultrasound recordings from the umbilical vein were acquired every 30 s in a 5-min period in 43 fetuses at 17-20 weeks' gestation. The recordings were analyzed with pixelwise spatially angle-corrected volume flow measurements. RESULTS: We observed variation in the umbilical vein volume flow in all fetuses, ranging from a mean minimum of 1.01 mL/s to a mean maximum of 2.60 mL/s. The minimum of all measurements was 57% compared with the mean value and the maximum was 148% of the mean value. The individual flow volume measurements ranged between 0.11 and 4.14 mL/s (mean, 1.76 mL/s). Within this range, an undulating course of all perfusion parameters was observed, with a full period of 4-5 min duration. CONCLUSION: Healthy second-trimester fetuses show cyclical variation in blood flow in the umbilical vein.
Authors: Helene Caroline Arneberg; Thea Anette Andersen; Liv Lorås; Hans Torp; Thomas Manfred Scholbach; Torbjørn Moe Eggebø Journal: Ultrasound Int Open Date: 2018-04-18