Acute hemodynamic effects induced by chorionic villus sampling: a preliminary investigation

Area of Science:

• Perinatology
• Fetal Medicine
• Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Background:

• Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) is a widely used prenatal diagnostic technique.
• Assessing the immediate fetal and maternal hemodynamic effects of CVS is crucial for understanding potential risks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of chorionic villus sampling on fetal heart rate (FHR).
• To assess changes in fetal umbilical artery pulsatility index (UAPI) post-CVS.
• To determine the effect of CVS on maternal arcuate artery resistance index (ARI).

Main Methods:

• M-mode fetal heart rate, pulsed Doppler fetal umbilical artery pulsatility index, and maternal arcuate artery resistance index were measured before and after CVS in 50 patients.
• A control group of 50 gestational age-matched patients without procedures was used for comparison.
• Statistical analysis included paired T tests, two-sample T tests, and F tests to compare means and variances.

Main Results:

• No statistically significant differences were found in the mean changes of FHR, UAPI, or ARI between the CVS group and controls.
• The variance of FHR change was significantly larger in the CVS group (17.1 times) compared to controls (p < 0.0001).
• The variance of UAPI change was also significantly greater in the CVS group (2.7 times) compared to controls (p = 0.0007).

Conclusions:

• Chorionic villus sampling leads to significant, albeit unpredictable, fluctuations in fetal heart rate and umbilical artery pulsatility index.
• Maternal arcuate artery resistance index is not significantly affected by chorionic villus sampling.
• These findings highlight the transient and variable hemodynamic responses in the fetus following CVS.