Fetal physiology and echo Flashcards
What % of combined ventricular output does the RV handle vs the LV?
RV= ~ 60%, LV ~ 30% aka double
What % of combined ventricular output goes through the pulmonary circulation?
7%
What % of combined venticular output goes through the transverse aorta?
Just 10%
What is the function of the foramen ovale?
To shunt oxygenated blood into the left circulation so it can reach the brain and coronaries
Is the fetal circulation a parallel or in series circulation?
Parallel
Umbilical vein:
- Describe anatomy
- Describe normal doppler pattern
Vein brings oxygenated blood from the placenta to the fetal circulation (think of how it is in the venous circulation for the baby, but how the oxygenation is different d/t placenta)
Normal doppler pattern is a low velocity, non-pulsatile pattern
Describe abnormal doppler patterns in the umbilical vein
Progression from single pulsation to double pulsation (progressive risk of mortality)
Ductus venosus
- Describe anatomy
- Describe the normal doppler pattern
Bypasses the hepatic circulation so that oxygenated blood is preserved when entering the heart. Can see on echo via aliasing in the liver.
Normal doppler pattern may have some pulsatility due to sphincter (more so than the UV) but is also mostly continuous, low velocity
Describe abnormal doppler patterns in the ductus venosus
1) reduced, absent or reversal of flow
2) abnormalities in velocity and pulsatility index
What is reversal of flow in the ductus venosus doppler associated with?
Right sided heart disease such as tricuspid valve abnormalities or pulmonary abnormalities that alter the pressure in the RA
How do you calculate combined ventricular output in a fetal echo?
Output across valve = Valve area x fetal HR x VTI
Then add the two outputs together
What physiologic changes may account for gradual increase in combined ventricular output in fetus over time?
1) Increased ventricular compliance increasing SV
2) Decreased peripheral vascular resistance decreasing afterload
What is a normal combined ventricular output in a fetus?
420-450 ml/kg/min
What disease state can restriction or PFO closure result in?
Right heart CHF - ventricular hypertrophy, dilation, tricuspid regurgitation, etc.
Describe the typical doppler pattern through a PFO
Right to left, laminar flow