Uteroplacental Lecture Part A (Exam 2) Flashcards
(95 cards)
What does IUGR stand for?
Intrauterine Growth Restriction
What does PIH stand for?
Pregnancy Induced Hypertension
What does Gravida mean?
of pregnancies
What does Para mean?
of live births or still births >20 weeks
What does P50 mean?
Oxygen level at which Hgb is 50% saturated
What does HbF and HbA stand for?
Fetal Hemoglobin
HbA = Adult Hgb
Uterine perfusion increases or decreases throughout gestation?
Increases
What is uterine blood flow at term?
What percentage of CO is this?
~ 700 ml/min
~ 12% of CO
What is the primary source of uterine blood flow?
Uterine Arteries that branch from internal iliac (hypogastric) arteries
What is the secondary source of uterine blood flow?
Ovarian Arteries that branch from the aorta at the L4 level
Where does a majority of the uterine blood flow pass through? What percentage of the UBF passes through here?
Intervillous space sees a majority of UBF
*70-90% of uterine blood flow passes through intervillous space
What is the location and function of the intervillous space?
-Intervillous space is located within the placenta between the mother and fetus.
-It serves as a low resistance area where exchange of gas and nutrients occurs.
Uterine blood flow = __________ ?
Formula for uterine blood flow.
Uterine perfusion pressure ÷ Uterine vascular pressure
Uterine perfusion pressure = __________?
Uterine arterial pressure - uterine venous pressure
Uterine blood flow lacks any mechanism for autoregulation during pregnancy. What are the implications of the lack of UBF regulation?
Uterine blood flow is entirely dependent on maternal blood pressure.
Must treat any HoTN
-especially HoTN secondary to neuraxial anesthesia (sympathectomy)
Uterine blood flow in normal pregnancy exceeds the fetal O2 demand requirements.
What are the overarching causes of decreased UBF?
- ↓ uterine arterial pressure
- ↑ uterine venous pressure
- ↑ uterine vascular resistance
What are three factors that lead to decreased uterine arterial pressure?
-Supine position: due to aortocaval compression
-Hypovolemia: d/t dehydration or bleeding
-HoTN: Neuraxial anesthesia, hemorrhage/EBL, drug-induced
How will neuraxial anesthesia affect UBF?
Sympathetic blockade → hypotension → decreased uterine arterial pressure = ↓ UBF
How can HoTN be counteracted when placing an epidural?
1 liter Fluid bolus before block to counteract hypotension. This has fallen out of favor
-delaying epidural placement while bolusing fluid
Co-loading (15 mL/kg) of fluid
-proven to be effective
How will supine positioning affect uterine venous pressure?
↑ venous pressure due to IVC compression
How will contractions effect uterine venous pressure?
- Contractions = ↑ venous pressure
UBF inversely r/t contraction strength - Tachysystole (Lots of strong contractions in short term.)
-Hyperemia (excess uterine blood flow) during uterine relaxation
What drugs will cause a tachysystolic (frequent strong uterine contractions) state?
- Oxytocin
- Cocaine/Meth
What factors will increase uterine vascular resistance?
- Endogenous vasocontrictors (catecholamines from stress response)
- Exogenous catecholamines (Phenylephrine & Ephedrine)
Is phenylephrine or ephedrine preferred for parturient patients?
Phenylephrine (vasopressor of choice if multiple doses are needed)
Ephredrine can be used but crosses placental barrier and increases fetal metabolic requirements.