Uteroplacental & Fetal Physiology Pt. 1 (Exam II) Flashcards
What does UBF stand for?
Uterine Blood Flow
What does IUGR stand for?
Intrauterine Growth Restriction
What does PIH stand for?
Pregnancy Induced Hypertension
What does Gravida mean?
of pregnancies
What does Para mean?
of live births or >20 weeks
What does P50 mean?
Oxygen level at which Hgb is 50% saturated
What does HbF stand for?
Fetal Hemoglobin
HbA = Adult Hgb
Uterine perfusion increases or decreases throughout gestation?
Increases
What is uterine blood flow at term?
What percentage of CO is this?
~ 700 ml/min
~ 12% of CO
Pregnancy is ____ resistance, but _____ flow.
Low Resistance, High Flow
Vasodilation w/ ↑ volume & CO
What is the primary source of uterine blood flow?
Uterine Arteries that branch from internal iliac (hypogastric) arteries
What is the secondary source of uterine blood flow?
Ovarian Arteries that branch from the aorta at the L4 level
70 - 90% of uterine blood flow will pass through the ________ space.
Intervillous space
Low resistance area of maternal blood pooling for exchange of gas nutrients.
Uterine blood flow = __________ ?
Formula for uterine blood flow.
Uterine perfusion pressure ÷ Uterine vascular pressure
Uterine perfusion pressure = __________?
Uterine arterial pressure - uterine venous pressure
What is the mechanism for autoregulation of UBF during pregnancy?
Trick question. There is no autoregulation of UBF. Entirely dependent on maternal blood pressure.
What are the overarching causes of decreased UBF?
- ↓ uterine arterial pressure
- ↑ uterine venous pressure
- ↑ uterine vascular resistance
What position would compromise uterine arterial pressure?
Supine due to aortocaval compression
Hypovolemia will result in decreased _________ and thus decreased UBF.
decreased uterine arterial pressure
How will neuraxial anesthesia affect UBF?
Sympathetic blockade → hypotension → decreased uterine arterial pressure = ↓ UBF
What should be administered prior to epidural placement?
Fluid bolus to counteract hypotension.
How will supine positioning affect uterine venous pressure?
↑ venous pressure due to IVC compression
How will contractions effect uterine venous pressure?
- Contractions = ↑ venous pressure
- Tachysystole (Lots of strong contractions in short term.)
What drugs will cause a tachysystolic state?
- Oxytocin
- Cocaine/Meth
What occurs with uterine blood flow during uterine relaxation? (such as after a contraction)
Hyperemia (increased blood flow)
What factors will increase uterine vascular resistance?
- Endogenous vasocontrictors (catecholamines from stress response)
- Exogenous catecholamines (Phenylephrine & Ephedrine)
Is phenylephrine or ephedrine preferred for parturient patients?
Phenylephrine
Ephredrine can be used but crosses placental barrier and increases fetal metabolic requirements.
High concentrations of local anesthetics will have what effect on uterine blood flow?
↓ UBF from high LA’s from:
- Arterial constriction
- Inhibition of endothelial vasodilation
- Stimulation of myometrial contraction
How does epinephrine, administered neuraxially, affect UBF?
- No change in healthy patients
What test dose of epinephrine is used in neuraxial anesthesia for parturient patients?
10 - 15 mcg
How do clonidine and precedex affect UBF when administered:
Neuraxially?
Intravenously?
- Neuraxial = No change in UBF
- IV = ↓ UBF
Neuraxial anesthesia will increase UBF if _________ is avoided.
hypotension
How do volatile anesthetics affect UBF?
↓ UBF if MAC > 1.5 (obviously rare)
Minimal effect on UBF with MAC 0.5 - 1.5
The chorionic plate of the placenta faces the _____.
fetus