Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 28, 2026
Guide Wire Assisted Catheterization and Colored Dye Injection for Vascular Mapping of Monochorionic Twin Placentas
Published on: September 5, 2011
Fetal cardiac output in monochorionic twins
M Sueters1, J M Middeldorp, E Lopriore
1Department of Obstetrics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Objectives:
To compare fetal cardiac output (CO) in donor and recipient twins of twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) pregnancies after laser therapy with that of monochorionic twins without TTTS and normal singletons.
Methods:
In a longitudinal, prospective study, we sonographically assessed fetal CO in donors (n = 10) and recipients (n = 10) with TTTS after fetoscopic laser therapy, in monochorionic twins without TTTS (n = 20) and in normal singleton pregnancies (n = 20). The fetal CO of TTTS twins was determined 1 day and 1 week after laser treatment, and from then on every 2-4 weeks until birth. Twins without TTTS were examined biweekly until birth. Singletons were examined twice, with an 8-week interval, at different gestational ages between 17 and 35 weeks.
Results:
Absolute CO increased exponentially with advancing gestational age (P < 0.0001), and was significantly related to fetal weight in all groups (P < 0.0001). The median CO/kg in donors after laser therapy, recipients after laser therapy and non-TTTS monochorionic twins was significantly higher than that in singletons (all P < 0.001). Median CO/kg in donors after laser therapy, recipients after laser therapy, and non-TTTS monochorionic twins was not significantly different between groups.
Conclusions:
Monochorionic twins with TTTS have higher CO after laser therapy than normal singletons.
More Related Videos
09:51Model Surgical Training: Skills Acquisition in Fetoscopic Laser Photocoagulation of Monochorionic Diamniotic Twin Placenta Using Realistic Simulators
Published on: March 21, 2018
09:52Accurate and Simple Evaluation of Vascular Anastomoses in Monochorionic Placenta using Colored Dye
Published on: September 5, 2011
Related Concept Videos
01:14Fetal Circulation
Two umbilical arteries transport blood from the fetus to the placenta. At the placenta, the blood absorbs oxygen and nutrients while simultaneously eliminating waste products. This oxygen-enriched and nutrient-rich blood then returns to the fetus through one...
01:11Cardiac Output and Stroke Volume
In an average resting adult male, the typical cardiac output averages...
01:19Cardiac Output I:Effect of Heart Rate on Cardiac Output
Cardiac output (CO) refers to the total amount of blood ejected by one of the ventricles in liters per minute (L/min). In a resting adult, CO ranges from 5 to 6 L/min, adjusting according to the body's metabolic requirements.
Effect of Heart Rate on Cardiac Output
Cardiac output adapts to metabolic demands during stress, physical activity, or illness. The autonomic nervous system regulates heart rate via the sinoatrial node. The parasympathetic nervous system decreases heart rate...
01:22Cardiac Output II: Effect of Stroke Volume on Cardiac Output
Preload
Preload refers to the initial elongation of the cardiac myocytes before contraction and is related to the volume of blood filling the heart at the end of diastole, or end-diastolic volume. The...
01:26Imbalances in Cardiac Output
CHF can occur due to the failure of either side of the heart. Left-side failure leads to pulmonary congestion—the right side continues to send blood...
01:17Exercise and Cardiac Output
Sustained exercise increases the muscles' oxygen demand, which can be met...