Uteroplacental & Fetal Physiology Pt. 2 (Exam II) Flashcards
Fetal circulation is ______ in contrast to adult circulation which is _____ _____.
parallel : in series
What are the three anatomic communication of fetal circulation?
- Ductus Venosus
- Foramen Ovale
- Ductus Arteriosus
Pulmonary vascular resistance is ____ in fetus. Why is this?
High
- Fetal lungs are collapsed & filled with fluid.
- Little pulmonary circulation.
Systemic Vascular Resistance is _____ in the fetus. Why?
Low
- Placenta has a low resistance vascular bed.
The umbilical ____ brings oxygenated blood from the placenta to the fetus.
umbilical vein.
The umbilical _____ send deoxygenated blood form the fetus back to the placenta.
umbilical arteries (2).
What is the PO₂ of maternal blood in the placenta?
What is the (typical) O₂ saturation of the maternal blood?
PO₂ = 30-35 mmHg
SaO₂ = 80-85%
How does the fetus maintain adequate oxygenation when exposed to a “low” O₂ saturation?
HbF will preferentially pull O₂ from the mom’s HbA due to its higher affinity.
What are the cardiac output contributions of the right ventricle and left ventricle of the fetus?
RV = 67% of CO
LV = 33% of CO
Parallel circulation (not in-series like adults).
Which fetal vessel allows oxygenated blood from the placenta to bypass portal circulation and go straight to the inferior vena cava?
Ductus Venosus
What aspect of fetal circulation allows oxygenated blood to flow from the RA to the LA?
What does this bypass?
Foramen Ovale (FO)
- Allows bypass of immature fetal lungs.
What causes the high right-to-left shunt of the foramen ovale?
Due to pressure gradient from high fetal PVR.
What vessel diverts blood away from underdeveloped lungs?
Ductus Arteriosus
What fetal blood vessel connects the pulmonary artery and the descending aorta?
Ductus Arteriosus
What vessel carries oxygenated blood from the placenta to the fetus?
Umbilical Vein (80-85% saturated)
Where does blood from the umbilical vein go?
- 50% to fetal portal circulation
- 50% bypasses portal circulation through DV to IVC.
The percentage of umbilical vein blood directed to the liver will increase in conjunction with ______ ____.
gestational age
Does all blood from the RA bypass the lungs and go directly into the left atrium via the FO?
No. Some blood from the RA will go to the RV and then immature pulmonary circulation.
Describe the path for most of the blood through fetal circulation.
RA → FO → LA → LV → Aorta → systemic circulation.
What percentage of blood goes from the RA to the RV and subsequently perfuses the lungs?
10%
What is greater in a fetus, PVR or SVR?
PVR
The majority of fetal blood passes from the pulmonary artery through the ____ to the descending aorta to perfuse the lower body of the fetus.
DA (Ductus Arteriosus)
Where do the umbilical arteries originate?
Lower vena cava
What does the DV do?
Shunts blood from the liver to the heart
What does the DA do?
Shunts blood from pulmonary circulation to the ascending aorta.
What portion of the autonomic nervous system develops first and is predominant throughout fetal life?
Parasympathetic system
What are the main environmental factors affecting fetal baroreceptors and thus SNS output?
Maternal BP & stress
When does respiratory effort begin after delivery?
30 - 90 seconds typically
What respiratory changes occur at birth?
- ↓ Intrathoracic pressure = Air movement
- Lung expansion = ↑ PaO₂ ↓ PaCO₂
- ↑ pH & PAO₂ = ↓PVR
What does the decreased PVR upon birth do to pulmonary blood flow?
↑ pulmonary artery flow = RV output shifts to lungs = ↑ pulmonary blood flow
What does surfactant do?
↓ surface tension = prevention of alveolar collapse
When does surfactant production start?
24 - 28 weeks gestation
The ____ will constrict and close due to increased O₂ levels.
DA
Why does the foramen ovale close?
Closes due to LA pressure exceeding RA pressure
What causes LA pressure to exceed RA pressure in a neonate?
Clamping of the umbilical cord = ↑SVR = ↑LAP = ↓ right-to-left sunt
This vessel closes with the clamping of the umbilical cord due to an increase in IVC pressure.
Ductus Venosus (DV)
What four factors can cause PVR to remain elevated after delivery?
- Hypoxia
- Acidosis
- Hypovolemia
- Hypothermia
What drug class when used by a mom can cause premature constriction of the ductus arteriosus and thus persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn?
NSAIDs
What things can lead to premature constriction of the DA?
- NSAIDs
- Preterm births
- ↑ PA pressure
What are the three main factors affecting fetal oxygenation?
- Maternal BP
- Maternal oxygenation
- Umbilical cord patency
How does the fetus protect itself in the instance of hypoxia?
- ↓ endothelial NO = vasoconstriction of less important organs.
- ↑ Adenosine accumulation = cerebral vasodilation
Why does a fetus have bradycardia in response to hypoxia?
Hypoxia = chemoreceptor stimulation = peripheral vasoconstriction = Vagal response & bradycardia
Where is more blood shunted in the event of fetal hypoxia?
DV = ↑O₂ delivery to heart & brain
What are the results of chronic fetal hypoxia?
- Fetal growth restriction
- Impaired organ function
- Cardiomyocyte apoptosis
- Fetal demise