Pulsatile umbilical venous flow and its clinical significance.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence and significance of pulsatile waveforms from the umbilical vein.


METHODS
A tertiary referral clinic for high risk pregnancies.


METHODS
209 fetuses from 24-41 weeks gestation.


METHODS
The presence of pulsatile waveforms in the umbilical vein and the pregnancy outcome.


RESULTS
9/209 fetuses demonstrated pulsatile waveforms and seven had severe growth retardation or congenital anomalies of the heart. Pulsatile flow and abnormalities of the inferior vena cava waveforms were observed in these seven but not in the two infants who were born at term. Double pulsations are described for the first time.


CONCLUSIONS
Examination of the umbilical venous waveform for pulsatile flow is a useful test as it indicates the presence of asphyxial cardiomyopathy or congenital heart lesions.
Nakai
Y
Y
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Amagasaki Medical COOP Hospital, Hyogo, Japan.
Miyazaki
Y
Y
Matsuoka
Y
Y
Matsumoto
M
M
Imanaka
M
M
Ogita
S
S
D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005311:Fetal Hypoxia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011673:Pulsatile Flow / Q000502:physiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014471:Umbilical Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*