Vascular dynamics in the descending aorta of the human fetus in normal late pregnancy.
Fetal blood flow velocity and diameter changes in the lower thoracic part of the descending aorta were compared in twenty normal pregnancies between the gestational age of 30 and 41 weeks. The mean blood flow velocity remained constant throughout the study period whereas a significant increase in vessel diameter was observed. The significant increase in aortic stroke volume and blood flow was in correlation with this diameter change.
D000818:Animals; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000502:physiology*; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D005260:Female; D005318:Fetal Heart / Q000502:physiology*; D005333:Fetus / Q000502:physiology*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011674:Pulse; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D013318:Stroke Volume; D014463:Ultrasonography