title: Fetal ventricular diastolic filling characteristics in a primate model: the role of fetal heart rate and pulmonary vascular impedance.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We hypothesized that fetal ventricular diastolic filling characteristics are related to fetal heart rate (FHR) and pulmonary vascular impedance.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rhesus monkeys underwent Doppler ultrasonography at near-term gestation. Tricuspid (TV) and mitral valve (MV) blood velocity waveforms were used to calculate maximum velocity (V-max) and velocity time integral (VTI) E/A ratios (early filling/ventricular filling during atrial contraction) at baseline and during maternal hyperoxygenation. Right pulmonary artery (RPA) pulsatility indices (PIs) and FHR were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Hyperoxgenation significantly decreased FHR and RPA PI. The TV V-max and the MV VTI E/A ratios increased significantly and correlated with a decrease in FHR but not with a decrease in RPA PI. The TV and MV A-wave V-max decreased during hyperoxygenation and their decrease correlated significantly with a drop in FHR.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fetal ventricular diastolic filling characteristics are related to FHR but not to pulmonary vascular impedance.
authors.affiliation: Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA. hashimaj@ohsu.edu
authors.forename: Jason N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Hashima
authors.forename: Antonio E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Frias
authors.forename: Leah
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bernard
authors.forename: Eliot R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Spindel
authors.forename: Theodore R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Hobbs
authors.forename: Juha
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rasanen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler; D005260:Female; D005318:Fetal Heart / Q000502:physiology*; D006340:Heart Rate, Fetal / Q000502:physiology*; D006439:Hemodynamics; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D023421:Models, Animal; D010100:Oxygen / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011247:Pregnancy; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000502:physiology*; D016276:Ventricular Function
chemical_list: D010100:Oxygen