[Arterial hypertension in pregnancy. Role of maternal and fetal blood velocimetry]

Presse Med. 1991 Oct 26;20(34):1667-71.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Gravidic hypertension remains one of the most frequent causes of perinatal mortality and morbidity. There are two aims when investigating this disease: evaluate the gravity, try to find early signs of a risk of pre-eclampsia. This last point has become particularly important over the past few years because of the development of preventive treatment (platelet anti-agregates). Mother and fetal blood velocimetry play a more and more important role. Three measurement sites appear to have different and complementary importance: for long-term prediction, measuring the velocimetric index of the uterin artery seems the most interesting because it schematically explores the type of placentations; for mid-term, measuring the ombilical artery evaluates placenta resistance, an essential factor in chronic fetal suffering; at short-term, measuring the fetal cerebral and carotid vessels explores the hemodynamic reactions of fetal adaptation to fetal suffering.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Arteries / physiopathology
  • Blood Flow Velocity / physiology*
  • Carotid Arteries / physiopathology
  • Cerebral Arteries / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Fetal Monitoring
  • Humans
  • Hypertension / diagnosis*
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Monitoring, Physiologic
  • Pre-Eclampsia / metabolism
  • Pre-Eclampsia / physiopathology
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / diagnosis*
  • Umbilical Arteries / physiopathology
  • Uterus / blood supply