Investigation of the fetal heart circulation in an animal model using contrast enhanced ultrasound

• To assess the distribution of blood from the umbilical vein (UMV), inferior vena cava (IVC) and superior vena cava (SVC) to either side of the fetal lamb heart by using ultrasound enhanced contrast agent imaging. By injection of ultrasound contrast agents (UCA) in UMV, IVC or SVC, the blood from these vessels was tracked, as it then was highly echogenic. By evaluating the image intensity within the heart ventricles, the relative concentrations of blood could be determined. The study was performed in 19 near term fetal lambs of mixed breed, with a mean gestational age of 136 days (range 134-136). Ultrasound contrast agent was injected at a constant rate of 1 ml/min, to ensure that a constant level of contrast agent would be obtained in both sides of the heart. Results: the median percentages of blood distributed to the left ventricle when injecting contrast in UMV, IVC, and SVC, was 68%, 67%, and 21% respectively. These numbers compare well with previously published data, except the recorded percentage distributed from the IVC. This could be a methodological error as well as a result of the mild hypoxia, or an actual increased capacity of the left ventricle at this gestational age

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Reproduktionsmedicin och gynekologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

image intensity

blood vessel

ultrasound contrast agent

fetal lamb heart

superior vena cava

inferior vena cava

umbilical vein

blood distribution

contrast enhanced ultrasound

fetal heart circulation investigation

animal model

heart ventricle

blood concentration

gestation

hypoxia

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