Sonographic evaluation of vascular pulmonary reactivity following oxygen administration in fetuses with normal lung development

Philip DeKoninck, Paul Lewi, Elisa Done, Jute Richter, Léonardo Gucciardo, Tim Van Mieghem, Jan A Deprest*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

16 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: 

This study aimed to establish nomograms for sonographic assessment of fetal pulmonary vascular reactivity following maternal hyperoxygenation.

STUDY DESIGN:

Sixty-two healthy fetuses were assessed at four weekly intervals from 26 weeks onwards. Pulmonary reactivity was evaluated using Doppler ultrasound in the main pulmonary artery and in the first branch of this main pulmonary artery. The difference in pulsatility index (∆PI) during maternal inhalation of a mixture of room air and oxygen (9 L/min) for at least 10 min was expressed as a percentage. Nomograms were constructed, and Kaplan-Meier curves were used to express the occurrence of a reactive test (∆PI ≥ 20%) with advancing gestation.

RESULTS: 

In the first branch, linear regression analysis revealed a significant correlation of ∆PI (%) with gestational age (r(2) = 0.04, p = 0.0057). Large inter-individual and intra-individual variability was noted. The ∆PI (%) in the main pulmonary artery remained constant throughout gestation (6.62 ± 17.83%).

CONCLUSION: 

Vascular reactivity in the pulmonary circulation increases in the first branch of the pulmonary artery. Large individual variability is limiting its use as a management tool.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1300-1304
Number of pages5
JournalPrenatal Diagnosis
Volume32
Issue number13
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2012
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

© 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Funding sources: The following organizations support the fetal medicine research programs of the University Hospitals Leuven: Fonds voor Wetenschappelijk
Onderzoek Vlaanderen (FWO; 1.8.012.07.N.02) and Instituut voor Wetenschap en Technologie (IWT/070715). P. D. K. is a recipient of an Industria-Academia
Partnership Marie Curie Grant of the European Commission (www.endovv.com; PIAP-GA-2009-251356).
Conflicts of Interest: None declared

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