Catch the wave, prevent miscarriage?Doppler ultrasound, a more sensitive technology than conventional ultrasound, can detect congestive heart failure congestive heart failure, inability of the heart to expel sufficient blood to keep pace with the metabolic demands of the body. In the healthy individual the heart can tolerate large increases of workload for a considerable length of time. in a six-week-old embryo, according to a study based on results for 1,530 pregnant women. (1) Embryonic congestive heart failure occurs when not enough oxygen is reaching the heart, possibly because blood vessels feeding the placenta are malformed mal·formed adj. Abnormally or faultily formed. or underdeveloped; the condition is a factor in 40% of miscarriages. The researcher comments that results of Doppler imaging "provide prospective parents with early information about what they are facing": an almost certain risk of miscarriage. However, he suggests that an intervention as simple as administering oxygen early in pregnancy to a woman with abnormal results of a Doppler evaluation may help reduce that risk. Further research into embryonic congestive heart failure, he adds, may lead to the development of new approaches to preventing miscarriage. (1.) Radiological Society of North America The Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), founded in 1915, has the purpose to "promote and develop the highest standards of radiology and related sciences through education and research". (RSNA RSNA Radiological Society of North America, Inc. RSNA Robust Security Network Association ), Doppler ultrasound predicts risk of miscarriage, news release, Chicago: RSNA, Dec. 2, 2003. FYI "For your information." See digispeak. FYI - For Your Information is compiled and written by Dore Hollander, executive editor of Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health. |
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