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Application of ultrasonic transit time flowmetry to the measurement of umbilical vein blood flow at caesarean section

  1. Justin C. Konje Lecturer/Senior Registrar1,*,
  2. David J. Taylor Professor and Head of Department1,
  3. Michael J. Rennie Symers Professor and Head of Department2

Article first published online: 19 AUG 2005

DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1996.tb09551.x

Issue

BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Volume 103, Issue 10, pages 1004–1008, October 1996

Additional Information

How to Cite

Konje, J. C., Taylor, D. J. and Rennie, M. J. (1996), Application of ultrasonic transit time flowmetry to the measurement of umbilical vein blood flow at caesarean section. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 103: 1004–1008. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1996.tb09551.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Leicester Medical School, Leicester

  2. 2

    Department of Anatomy and Physiology, University of Dundee, Dundee

*Correspondence: Dr J. C. Konje, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Clinical Sciences Building, University of Leicester Medical School, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester LE2 7LX, UK.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 19 AUG 2005
  2. Article first published online: 19 AUG 2005
  3. Received 23 February 1995 Revised version received 16 November 1995 Accepted 20 January 1996

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Objective To determine the applicability of ultrasonic transit time flowmetry to the measurement at caesarean section of umbilical vein blood flow rate and to examine the relationship between flow rates and birthweight for gestational age.

Design Umbilical vein blood flow was measured at caesarean section using a transonic time flow probe on a loop of the umbilical cord in 33 appropriate and 21 small for gestational age fetuses.

Results The mean (SD) umbilical vein blood flow in the 54 fetuses was 78.4 (23.1) ml kg−1 min−1. There was a linear relation between umbilical vein blood flow measured by ultrasonic transit time flowmetry and birthweight (r= 0.63, P < 0.0001). The mean umbilical vein blood flow in appropriate for gestational age fetuses [90 (18) ml kg−1 min−1] was greater than that in the small for gestational age group [66 (23) ml kg−1 min−1]; P < 0.04).

Conclusions Umbilical vein blood flow measurements obtained by the ultrasonic transit time flowmetry technique are simple to perform and compare well with reported values obtained by the Doppler ultrasound technique (when vessel diameter is greater than 4 mm). Umbilical venous blood flow rate is significantly lower in small for gestational age fetuses.

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