Cardiovascular, metabolic and fetal brain function observation following total cord occlusion

The effect of total cord occlusion (TCO) on the time sequence of fetal oxygenation, metabolic and cardiovascular parameters and on brain function of the sheep fetus was studied. It was also of importance to differentiate between cardiovascular alteration following TCO due to hypoxia and baroreceptor response, respectively. The investigations were performed on 11 near term pregnant sheep with dated gestational age of 126--137 days. Catheters were placed in the fetal aorta for monitoring fetal arterial blood pressure (FA BP), fetal heart rate (FHR). Blood samples were drawn and analysed for pH, PCO2 and SO2. An electromagnetic flow probe was placed around the common umbilical vein. Fetal EEG was measured over the right hemisphere. All parameters were studied over a varying time of TCO.