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Umbilical vein pulsations: a physiologic finding in early gestation
G Rizzo1, D Arduini, C Romanini
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Università Cattolica S. Cuore, Rome, Italy.
American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
|September 1, 1992
Summary
Umbilical vein pulsations are common in early pregnancy until 13 weeks. These pulsations are linked to fetal inferior vena cava blood flow patterns, not umbilical artery resistance.
Area of Science:
- Fetal Medicine
- Obstetrics
- Cardiovascular Physiology
Background:
- Umbilical vein pulsations are not well-characterized in early pregnancy.
- Understanding their physiological basis is important for assessing fetal well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of umbilical vein pulsations in normal early pregnancies.
- To investigate the relationship between umbilical vein pulsations and Doppler-measured vascular indices.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 257 pregnancies (7-16 weeks gestation).
- Transvaginal color and pulsed Doppler ultrasonography used to record blood flow in the umbilical artery, umbilical vein, and fetal inferior vena cava.
Main Results:
- Umbilical vein pulsations were present in all cases until 8 weeks gestation, disappearing by 13 weeks.
- Pulsations were unrelated to umbilical artery pulsatility index or fetal heart rate.
- Significantly higher inferior vena cava reverse flow during atrial contraction was observed in cases with umbilical vein pulsations.
Conclusions:
- Umbilical vein pulsations are a normal physiological finding in the first trimester.
- These pulsations appear to be associated with inferior vena cava flow dynamics.