Changes in umbilical venous volume flow after fetoscopic laser occlusion of placental vascular anastomoses in twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To examine effects of fetoscopic laser occlusion of placental vascular anastomoses on umbilical venous volume flow in twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome.


METHODS
Absolute umbilical venous volume flow, measured preoperatively and 48 hours after fetoscopic laser occlusion was related to Doppler studies, bladder filling in donors, and anastomoses.


RESULTS
Among 45 patients, recipients had decreased ductus venosus pulsatility index (ductus venosus-pulsatility index for veins, 1.16 vs 1.01; P < .001) and unchanged umbilical venous volume flow after fetoscopic laser occlusion (74.7 vs 74.5 mL; P = .407). Donors had decreased umbilical artery pulsatility (1.34 vs 1.11; P = .008), increased ductus venous-pulsatility index for veins (0.75 vs 0.91; P < .014), and significantly increased umbilical venous volume flow per kilogram by 52.3% (136.6 vs 208.0 mL/Kg/min; P < .001). Donor bladder filling occurred at higher umbilical venous volume flow per kilogram (142.7 vs 221.4 mL/Kg/min; P < .012). Increase in umbilical venous volume flow per kilogram correlated with the net difference in arteriovenous anastomoses (Pearson r = 0.403, P = .006).


CONCLUSIONS
Fetoscopic laser occlusion in twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome corrects intertwin differences in umbilical venous volume flow by predominant effects in the donor. Reappearance of donor bladder filling correlates with correction of volume flow.
Baschat
Ahmet Alexander
AA
Center for Advanced Fetal Care, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Gungor
Sadettin
S
Glosemeyer
Peter
P
Huber
Agnes
A
Hecher
Kurt
K
D001163:Arteriovenous Anastomosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005330:Fetofetal Transfusion / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D005332:Fetoscopy; D006801:Humans; D017075:Laser Coagulation; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy; D010920:Placenta / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011673:Pulsatile Flow / Q000502:physiology; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology*; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D014471:Umbilical Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery