Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine, Vol 8, Issue 4 193-196, Copyright © 1989 by American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
Hemodynamic changes in growth retarded fetuses during maternal oxygen administration as predictors of fetal outcome
D. Arduini, G. Rizzo, C. Romanini and S. Mancuso
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universita Cattolica S. Cuore, Rome, Italy.
The changes in fetal hemodynamics during maternal administration of 60%
humidified oxygen were assessed by Doppler ultrasonography in 15 growth
retarded fetuses characterized by abnormal blood flow velocity waveforms.
During oxygen treatment, nine fetuses exhibited temporary hemodynamic
modifications as expressed by a recovery toward the normal range of
vascular impedance in the descending aorta and internal carotid artery,
whereas no changes were found in the remaining six fetuses. In this latter
group, a rapid deterioration of fetal condition occurred and all the
fetuses were delivered by emergency cesarean section within 9 days from the
Doppler examination. The absence of recovery of vascular resistance during
acute maternal oxygen administration seems therefore to be a useful marker
of imminent acute distress in fetuses with growth retardation secondary to
chronic hypoxia.
