[Doppler ultrasound in cases of Rhesus incompatibility. Effect of intravascular punctures with or without transfusion on feto-placental Doppler blood flow velocity curves].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the influence of cordocentesis with or without blood transfusion on umbilical and fetal blood flow characteristics.


METHODS
Of 42 pregnant women suffering from Rh. incompatibility 15 had a puncture of the umbilical cord for diagnostic reasons only. In 27 cases a total of 86 punctures was done for blood transfusion. Fetal heart rate, umbilical artery A/B Ratio and Pulsatility Index (PI) in the fetal aorta were measured before and after cordocentesis in all cases having or having not a transfusion.


RESULTS
Diagnostic and therapeutic cordocentesis resulted in a slight decrease of peripheral resistance. Significant differences were only observed in cases with a haematocrit < 20% compared to cases with values > 40% or if the final haematocrit after transfusion resulted in a value of < 30%.


CONCLUSIONS
The decrease peripheral resistance in cases of therapeutic cordocentesis can be attributed to the increase in blood volume and sufficient oxygenation of blood improving fetal perfusion. Doppler sonography is not helpful in the clinical management of red blood cell immunisation.
Albrecht
A
A
Abteilung für Pränatale Diagnostik u. Therapie der Universitäts-Frauenklinik Wien.
Deutinger
J
J
Stümpflen
I
I
Beck
S
S
Bernaschek
G
G
D000328:Adult; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000502:physiology; D001805:Blood Transfusion, Intrauterine; D017218:Cordocentesis; D004899:Erythroblastosis, Fetal / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000098:blood supply; D006400:Hematocrit; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange / Q000502:physiology*; D010920:Placenta / Q000098:blood supply*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011673:Pulsatile Flow / Q000502:physiology; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal