Effects of maternal abdominal decompression on umbilical artery and fetal middle cerebral artery blood flow

Authors

  • Sara Mugerli Splošna bolnišnica 'Dr Franca Derganca' Nova Gorica
  • Gordana Njenjić Klinični oddelek za perinatologijo, Ginekološka klinika, Univerzitetni klinični center Ljubljana, Šlajmerjeva ulica 3, 1000 Ljubljana
  • Vesna Fabjan Vodušek Klinični oddelek za perinatologijo, Ginekološka klinika, Univerzitetni klinični center Ljubljana, Šlajmerjeva ulica 3, 1000 Ljubljana
  • Miha Lučovnik Klinični oddelek za perinatologijo, Ginekološka klinika, Univerzitetni klinični center Ljubljana, Šlajmerjeva ulica 3, 1000 Ljubljana

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14528/snr.2015.49.3.61

Keywords:

antenatal classes, Doppler ultrasound, resistance index, intrauterine growth restriction

Abstract

Introduction: Maternal abdominal decompression during pregnancy could be used in an attempt to improve utero-placental blood flow. We utilized Doppler ultrasonography to investigate the effects of this procedure on blood flow in the umbilical artery and fetal middle cerebral artery. Methods: Women (n = 23) with singleton pregnancies attending antenatal abdominal decompression were enrolled in the study. Doppler velocity waveforms were obtained from umbilical artery and fetal middle cerebral artery before and after a 30-minute decompression session. Resistance indices were compared using the Student's t - test (p < 0.05 significant). Results: 23 healthy pregnant women were included at an average gestational age of 36+1 weeks. The mean resistance index before decompression in the umbilical artery was 0.58 (s = 0.10) and after decompression 0.54 (s = 0.07, p = 0.06). In the middle cerebral artery the values were 0.72 (s = 0.11) and 0.77 (s = 0.08), respectively (p = 0.01). Discussion and conclusion: Significantly increased resistance index in the middle cerebral artery implies a higher fetal brain oxygenation after decompression. This is further corroborated by the trend towards a decrease in umbilical artery resistance index. The effects of decompression could be beneficial in pregnancies complicated by IUGR or hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.

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Author Biographies

Sara Mugerli, Splošna bolnišnica 'Dr Franca Derganca' Nova Gorica

Sara Mugerli, MD

Gordana Njenjić, Klinični oddelek za perinatologijo, Ginekološka klinika, Univerzitetni klinični center Ljubljana, Šlajmerjeva ulica 3, 1000 Ljubljana

Gordana Njenjić, Graduate midwife

Vesna Fabjan Vodušek, Klinični oddelek za perinatologijo, Ginekološka klinika, Univerzitetni klinični center Ljubljana, Šlajmerjeva ulica 3, 1000 Ljubljana

Vesna Fabjan Vodušek, MD

Miha Lučovnik, Klinični oddelek za perinatologijo, Ginekološka klinika, Univerzitetni klinični center Ljubljana, Šlajmerjeva ulica 3, 1000 Ljubljana

Assistant professor Miha Lučovnik, PhD, MD

References

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Published

2015-09-25

How to Cite

Mugerli, S., Njenjić, G., Fabjan Vodušek, V., & Lučovnik, M. (2015). Effects of maternal abdominal decompression on umbilical artery and fetal middle cerebral artery blood flow. Slovenian Nursing Review, 49(3). https://doi.org/10.14528/snr.2015.49.3.61

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Original scientific article