Foetal Circulation & Congenital Diseases Flashcards
State eight functions of the placenta
- foetal homeostasis
- gas exchange
- acid base balance
- nutrient transport to foetus
- waste transport from foetus
- hormone production
- transport of IgG
- PGE2
How can the foetal lungs be described prior to birth?
Unexpanded & filled with fluid
Describe foetal blood supply
From the placenta oxygenated blood comes through the umbilical vein and leaves through the umbilical arteries which arise from the descending aorta
Name the structure that connects the umbilical vein to the IVC
Ductus venosus
What is the function of the ductus venosus?
Allows blood with nutrients to come from the placenta without being processed by the liver
Name the opening in the atrial septum
foramen ovale - connects RA to LA
What is the function of the foramen ovale?
The oxygenated blood enters LA then LV and flows to ascending aorta & carotids
What is the function of the ductus arteriosus?
connects the pulmonary bifurcation to the descending aorta - only 7% of blood flows to foetal lungs
How is the ductus arteriosus kept open?
prostaglandin E2 produced by the placenta
What type of drugs inhibit prostaglandin E2?
NSAIDs - contraindicated in pregnancy
What happens to the lungs after the baby is born?
They inflate and fill will oxygen, the baby turns from blue to pink, pulmonary vascular resistance decreases
What is the result of circulating oxygen increase?
It is a vasodilator therefore decreases resistance
At what age will pulmonary resistance reach adult levels?
2-3 months
What happens to systemic vascular resistance?
When the cord is cut it increases as more cardiac output goes to the lungs
After birth what happens to the foramen ovale?
It closes so there is no flow between the atria (this mechanism fails in 20% of the population)
What happens to the ductus arteriosus after birth?
Constricts due to increased oxygen and reduced prostaglandins, ends up as fibrous ligament - ligamentum arteriosum
What are oxygen sats when a baby is born?
60-70%
Describe failure of ductus arteriosus closure
High incidence in premature babies, causes extra blood to flow to the lungs, increasing pulmonary BP leading to SOB and cardiac arrest