Quantitative echocardiographic assessment of left ventricular function in critically ill obstetric patients: a comparative study

Article Abstract:

Two-dimensional Doppler echocardiography may provide adequate information about the hearts of critically ill pregnant patients and may be easier to obtain than information gained from M-mode echocardiography. Researchers performed heart tests on 11 critically ill pregnant patients to determine the function of the left ventricle. M-mode echocardiography provided information about the left ventricle in nine of the 11 patients, where two-dimensional Doppler echocardiography provided this information in all patients. M-mode and two-dimensional Doppler techniques provided similar information in the patients where M-mode worked. Stroke volume, ventricular volume, and ejection fraction measurements could all be obtained from either echocardiographic technique. A combination of techniques may provide needed information when one technique alone cannot.

Health aspects, Echocardiography

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An animal model for hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn: fetal effects in New Zealand rabbits

Article Abstract:

Rabbit fetuses may be used to study the effects of the condition in newborn infants that destroys red blood cells because the parents have incompatible Rh factors. This condition, called hemolytic disease, results in anemia. Researchers used 19 female rabbits to compare the effects of breeding with a male of compatible blood type and with a male of incompatible blood type. Females were first exposed to red blood cells of an incompatible blood type. Ultrasonography was used to examine the rabbit fetuses before birth and to obtain blood samples from the fetuses. Anti-A and anti-F red blood cell antibodies were associated with blood disease in the rabbit fetuses. Physical indications of blood disease in the fetus could be seen with ultrasound from 20 days of gestation on.

Models, Erythroblastosis fetalis

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Hormonal status affects the reactivity of the cerebral vasculature

Article Abstract:

Estrogen appears to increase blood flow in smaller diameter cerebral blood vessels. Blood velocity and vascular resistance were evaluated using color flow Doppler ultrasonography of the central retinal and ophthalmic arteries in 10 healthy third-trimester pregnant women, 10 nonpregnant women, and 10 postmenopausal women. Pregnant women have elevated estrogen levels. The 10 postmenopausal women were retested two months after beginning hormone replacement therapy. Pregnant women had higher blood velocity and lower resistance in the central retinal artery compared with nonpregnant women. Nonpregnant women had similar values as postmenopausal women. Estrogen therapy resulted in an increase in blood flow and a decrease in arterial resistance.

Cerebral circulation, Measurement, Physiological aspects, Postmenopausal women, Estradiol

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