Effect of rapid intravenous crystalloid infusion on uteroplacental blood flow and placental implantation-site oxygen delivery in the pregnant ewe.
OBJECTIVE
Our purpose in this study was to investigate the effects of rapid intravenous crystalloid infusion on placental implantation-site blood flow and oxygen delivery in the near-term pregnant ewe.


METHODS
Maternal left ventricular, femoral arterial and venous, and bilateral fetal hind limb arterial catheters were placed in nine near-term ewes 5 days before the start of the study. Maternal and fetal arterial blood gas values, maternal hemodynamic measurements, and maternal organ blood flows (microsphere technique) were obtained before and after the intravenous infusion of 2.0 to 2.5 L of normal saline solution. Myometrial and placental implantation-site vascular resistances and oxygen delivery were calculated. The t test for paired comparisons was used for statistical analysis, with p < or = 0.05 considered significant.


RESULTS
Significant postinfusion increases in maternal mean arterial pressure, placental implantation-site blood flow, and skin, skeletal muscle, and renal blood flows were recorded. In the six animals that demonstrated a fall in hemoglobin concentration, a significant increase in placental implantation-site oxygen delivery and a significant decrease in placental implantation-site vascular resistance were also seen. No significant changes were seen in myometrial blood flow or myometrial vascular resistance.


CONCLUSIONS
Rapid intravenous crystalloid infusion selectively increases placental implantation-site blood flow in the near-term pregnant ewe and may improve oxygen delivery to the fetus, especially if hemodilution occurs.
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Texas Medical School, Houston.
J P
JP
Crino
A P
AP
Harris
V M
VM
Parisi
T R
TR
Johnson
D000818:Animals; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis; D000077324:Crystalloid Solutions; D005260:Female; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007552:Isotonic Solutions; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism*; D010920:Placenta / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000378:metabolism; D010952:Plasma Substitutes / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D011247:Pregnancy; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000187:drug effects; D015532:Rehydration Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D012756:Sheep; D013997:Time Factors; D014599:Uterus / Q000098:blood supply*
D000077324:Crystalloid Solutions; D007552:Isotonic Solutions; D010952:Plasma Substitutes; D015532:Rehydration Solutions; D010100:Oxygen