Abstract
Prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors (PGSI) increase the incidence and amplitude of fetal breathing movements (FBM) and increase pulmonary blood flow (Qp) in fetal sheep. To determine if these effects are interrelated or caused by the same mechanisms, we studied 4 chronically instrumented fetal sheep (gestation 134-138d). Each fetus had an electromagnetic flow probe on the left pulmonary artery (LPA) and catheters in the trachea (to evaluate FBM), main pulmonary artery, carotid artery, jugular vein (JV), and amniotic cavity. Studies were done a minimum of 7 d postoperatively. After a control period (48-150 min), the PGSI, M, was infused into the JV at a dose of 8.53 mg.kg over 10 min, then 0.51 mg/kg/hr for 2.5-4.0 h. There were no changes in heart rate, blood pressure or arterial pH, PCO2 or PO2. Other results are shown in Table.
Qp did not correlate with incidence of FBM, nor with pH, PCO2, or PO2. We speculate that the early rise in Qp was due to constriction of the ductus arteriosus, or possibly to changes in pulmonary vascular resistance. We conclude that M causes an early rise in Qp independent of changes in FBM, and that the later increase in FBM does not lead to an increase in Qp.
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Savich, R., Guerra, F., Lee, CC. et al. EFFECT OF MECLOFENAMATE (M) ON FETAL BREATHING MOVEMENTS AND PULMONARY BLOOD FLOW. Pediatr Res 21 (Suppl 4), 221 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198704010-00329
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198704010-00329