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Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics

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01-12-2014 | Maternal-Fetal Medicine

MR angiography demonstrates a positive correlation between placental blood vessel volume and fetal size

Authors: Anne Staub Rasmussen, Estrid Stæhr-Hansen, Henrik Lauridsen, Niels Uldbjerg, Michael Pedersen

Published in: Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics | Issue 6/2014

Abstract

Purpose

While intrauterine growth restriction is often associated with placental dysfunction or abnormal morphology, the link between fetal weight and the placental delivery capacity of blood has not been studied in detail. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the fetal placental blood volume (FPBV) and fetal length, fetal weight and fetal head circumference using a non-invasive approach.

Methods

Placentas from normal pregnancies terminated with elective cesarean section were included. The entire fetal-side placental vasculature was filled with a solution of a gadolinium-containing contrast agent, followed by magnetic resonance angiography. FPBV was calculated from the complete 3D dataset as the sum of high-intense voxels. Areas that appeared different than the main part of the placenta were marked and evaluated by histology. FPBV of each placenta was compared to the fetal measures at birth: weight, length and head circumference. FPBV was also compared to placental weight at birth.

Results

We found that FPBV correlated linearly with fetal weight (p = 0.02) and fetal head circumference (p = 0.03), but found no correlation between the calculated placental blood vessel volume and the placental weight at birth. Histology revealed no pathophysiological findings in any cases. The marked areas were all those of infarctions or fibrinous sedimentation.

Conclusion

Interestingly, we found a positive correlation between FPBV and fetal size. Fetal size was measured in fetal weight and fetal head circumference. Fetal length did not correlate with FPBV. Further studies are warranted to investigate this relationship in pregnancies with intrauterine growth restriction, and whether MRI angiography (without gadolinium-containing agents) is suitable as a novel diagnostic modality for placental dysfunction.

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Title: MR angiography demonstrates a positive correlation between placental blood vessel volume and fetal size
Authors: Anne Staub Rasmussen
Estrid Stæhr-Hansen
Henrik Lauridsen
Niels Uldbjerg
Michael Pedersen
Publication date: 01-12-2014
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics / Issue 6/2014
Print ISSN: 0932-0067
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0711
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-014-3341-2

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

MR angiography demonstrates a positive correlation between placental blood vessel volume and fetal size

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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