Fetal Circulation Flashcards
What are unique structures to fetal circulation?
1) placenta
2) umbilical arteries and veins
3) fetal shunts: ductus venosus, foramen ovale and ductus arteriosus
What are the functions of the placenta?
1) respiratory function- instead of lungs
2) metabolic function- instead of intestines
3) provides O2, nutrients and H20 to fetus
4) transfers CO2 and other wastes to MOB for elimination
How many umbilical arteries are there?
2
What is the function of the umbilical arteries?
to carry Deoxygenated blood in utero
What is the reaction of arteries in a hypoxic environment?
vasoconstrict
How do umbilical arteries present in the cord?
muscular, smaller vessels
What is the range of PaO2 available in the umbilical arteries?
15-25%
What central line should be placed in an emergent situation if no vascular access is previously in place?
UVC, never arterial
What type of medications should never be run through an arterial line?
RX with vasocontricting effects: Epi, caffeine, insulin, dopamine, norepi
How many umbilical veins are there?
1
What is the function of the umbilical vein?
to carry oxygenated blood in utero
What is the range of PaO2 available in the umbilical vein?
32-35%
How does the umbilical vein present in the cord?
larger, thinner walled vessel
What is the ductus venous?
structure that allows blood to bypass the liver and empty into the IVC
When is closure of the ductus venous expected?
within the first week of life
What becomes of the ductus venous after anatomical closure?
eventually becomes the hypogastric ligament
What is the foramen ovale?
structure preferentially allows blood to flow from the RA into the LA
Where is the foramen ovale located?
in the central portion of the atrial septum
What mechanism facilitates the closure of the foramen ovale?
increasing LA pressure
When is anatomic closure of the FO achieved?
approximately 1 month
Where is the PDA?
connects the pulmonary artery and the aorta; can be a site of shunting especially in the preterm infant
What mechanism facilitates the closure of the PDA?
in response to readily available pO2
When is functional and anatomic closure of the PDA achieved?
functional: 2-4 dol; anatomic: during the next month
What becomes of the PDA after anatomical closure?
persists as the ductus ligament
What percentage of total cardiac output goes to the lungs in utero for tissue nourishment?
8-12%
What is the effect of acidosis on the vasculature?
vasoconstriction
Where is the site of greatest vascular resistance in fetal circulation?
PVR>SVR
Where is the site of O2/CO2 exchange in fetal circulation?
intervillous spaces; placenta is nourished from maternal venous system
Where is the site of greatest vascular resistance in postanatal circulation?
SVR>PVR
Where is the site of O2/CO2 exchange in postnatal circulation?
alveolus/capillary
In fetal circulation, where is the point of highest pO2 concentration?
from the point of entering the placenta and ascending the umbilical vein
What is the route of hepatic blood circulation?
the UV branches into the portal vein that perfuses the liver and into the DV which bypasses the liver and empties into the IVC
The IVC empties into what structure?
the RA
As blood streams into the LA through the FO, it mixes with blood that has returned from where?
blood returning from the collapsed fetal lungs through the pulmonary vein
Blood that moves from the LA to the LV has to move through what valve?
mitral
What structures are perfused by blood that leaves the LV through the ascending sort to the aortic arch?
the brain, heart and upper torso
What is the first vessel that branches off from the aortic arch?
the right subclavian artery (why pre ductal probe is placed on right arm)
What arteries are located on the aortic arch?
1) brachiocephalic (branches into right subclavian and right common carotid) 2) left common carotid 3) left subclavian
What happens to the blood that perfused the liver?
it mixes with the blood that perfused the brain, heart and upper torso in the SVC. This blood will go to the RA into the RV
Blood that moves from the RA to the RV has to move through what valve?
tricuspid
In the defending aorta, what percentage of blood will perfuse the lower extremities?
1/3
What happens to the remaining 2/3 of blood that has left the fetal heart?
will be sent to the placenta for reoxygenation
What is a R>L shunt?
(PFO) shunting results in deoxygenated blood in systemic perfusion, hypoxemia and cyanosis
What is a L>R shunt?
(PDA) shunting results in oxygenated blood returning to the lungs (leading to pulmonary edema, increasing PVR and PPHN)
Which organs receive the most oxygen?
the brain and heart (pO2 25-28%)
What is the first challenge that a newborn faces?
cardiorespiratory transition; life without placental support
What occurs with cardiopulmonary adaptation?
1) onset of ventilation with a decrease in PVR and an increase in pulmonary blood flow, 2) rise in blood O2 and saturation further decreases PVR, 3) loss of placental circulation with resultant increase in SVR
Approximately how much of fetal lung lung fluid is reabsorbed during labor?
35%
How does labor affect the excretion of alveolar fluid?
decreases the excretion of alveolar fluid and increases excretion of surfactant
What occurs with the first breath of an infant?
establishes alveolar surface tension, increases alveolar pO2, establishes negative pressure and decrease the PVR- all contributing to improving pulmonary blood flow
How does endothelium derived relaxing factor affect on the cardiopulmonary system?
exactly like nitric oxide
What is an indication of an unsuccessful transition to extrauterine life?
if PVR remains elevated
What is the incidence of CHD in live born infants?
~ 1%
What percentage of all CHD cases are diagnosed within the first week of life?
50%
In infants with complex CHD, what is the rate of hospital mortality?
as high as 7%
Infants with CHD have a high frequency of what related risk factors?
multiple congenital anomalies, syndromes, LBW and prolonged LOS
What are the most frequently occurring CHD anomalies seen within the first week of life?
PDA, transposition of the great arteries, HLHS, TOF and pulmonary atresia
How do you conduct a hyperoxia test?
1) determine PaO2 while the infant is on RA
2) give 100% O2 for 10-20 min by mask, hood or ETT
3) obtain PaO2 while infant is breathing 100%
What are the implications of the hyperoxia test?
because of intracardiac R>L shunting, the newborn with cyanotic CHD (in contrast to the infant with pulmonary dz) is unable to raise arterial saturation, even in the presence of increased ambient oxygen.
How are CHD classified?
s/s of newborns with CHD permit grouping according to levels of arterial oxygen saturation based on the hyperoxia test. Further classification based on physical findings & labs, facilitates delineation of the exact cardiac lesion
What is cyanotic CHD?
infants are usually unable to achieve a PaO2>100mmHG after the hyperoxia test
What is acyanotic CHD?
infants achieve a PaO2>100mmHG after the hyperoxia test
Why is cyanosis a potential confounding factor in the physical assessment of an infant with CHD?
because polycythemia, jaundice, racial pigmentation or anemia can make clinical recognition of cyanosis difficult
Why is a murmur or absence of a murmur a potential confounding factor in the physical assessment of an infant with CHD?
an infant with CHD often does not have a distinctive murmur. the most serious of anomalies may not be a/w a murmur at all
What is the most common cardiac cause of cyanosis in the first year of life?
D-transposition of the great arteries
What is the male to female ration of D-TGA?
2:1 male:female
What is the pathophysiology of D-TGA?
the aorta ascends from the RV and the pulmonary ascends from the LV, with resultant separate systemic and pulmonary circuits