Vaginosonographic velocimetry in uterine arteries before and after administration of beta-mimetics.

Objective: To investigate the effect of surgical procedures at 15 weeks gestation (amniocentesis or cervical cerclage), with or without post-operative ritodrine prophylaxis, on uterine blood flow velocity waveforms and maternal heart rate.

Design: A quasi-randomized observational study.

Setting: University Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Vienna.

Vaginosonographic Doppler velocimetry in both uterine arteries: elevated left-right differences and relationship to fetal haemodynamics and outcome.

Blood flow velocity was measured in both main stem uterine arteries by means of a transvaginally inserted Duplex scanner (240 degrees sector, pulsed Doppler) and visual vessel recognition to investigate normal and abnormal uterine perfusion. Its relationship to fetal circulation and fetal outcome was studied. Fetal vessels were investigated transabdominally.

Scalp heat flux in postmature and in growth-retarded fetuses.

Postterm and growth-retarded fetuses share a common problem which can be characterized by a discrepancy between the supply of oxygen and nutrients to, and the demand of the fetus. But, this "insufficient" placental exchange function may also extend to and affect its thermal homeostasis; e.g.

[Heat flux measurements of the fetal scalp and cardiotocography in predicting acidosis states sub partu--a comparison of 2 methods].

Although the efficacy of electronic foetal heart rate (FHR) monitoring and intermittent scalp blood sampling is well established, these methods still result in a considerable number of false positive and negative predictions. Consequently, methods, which improve the accuracy of prediction, are still under study. Heat flux measurements from the foetal scalp have been shown to relate to the metabolic condition of the foetus during delivery.