Significance of retrograde diastolic uterine artery blood flow during regional anesthesia in instrumented pregnant sheep

T. Kavasmaa, K. Mäkikallio, T. Erkinaro, G. Acharya, M. Haapsamo, S. Alahuhta, J. Räsänen

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1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: We studied the interactions between uterine and placental hemodynamics during maternal hypotension in chronically instrumented fetal sheep. In addition, we investigated maternal hemodynamic characteristics, fetoplacental hemodynamics and fetal acid-base status when a retrograde diastolic uterine artery blood flow pattern is present during maternal hypotension. Methods: Invasive maternal and fetal hemodynamic parameters, uterine (QUtA) and placental (QUA) volume blood flows and acid-base values were examined in 24 chronically instrumented sheep at baseline and during epidural-induced maternal hypotension at 117-132 (term 145) days of gestation. Uterine artery blood flow velocity waveforms were obtained by Doppler ultrasonography. Results: Maternal hypotension decreased QUtA without affecting QUA. During hypotension, eight out of 24 sheep demonstrated a retrograde diastolic blood flow velocity waveform pattern in the uterine artery. Maternal systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressures were significantly lower in the retrograde group than in the antegrade group. No statistically significant differences in QUtA, QUA and fetal blood gas values were detected between the two groups during hypotension. Conclusions: An acute decrease in uterine artery volume blood flow during maternal hypotension is not compensated by increased placental volume blood flow. A retrograde diastolic blood flow pattern in the uterine artery is related to lower maternal arterial pressures, especially during diastole. A uterine artery retrograde diastolic blood flow pattern does not have any additional detrimental short-term effects on fetal acid-base status.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1291-1297
Number of pages7
JournalActa Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica
Volume52
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2008

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine

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