Ultrasonographic blood flow velocimetry in maternal and umbilical arteries during maternal exercise
Asakura, H.; Nakai, A.; Yamaguchi, M.; Koshino, T.; Araki, T.
Nihon Sanka Fujinka Gakkai Zasshi 46(4): 308-314
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0300-9165 PMID: 8151172 Document Number: 429053
To see hemodynamic changes induced by exercise in pregnant women, we performed blood flow velocimetry with an ultrasonic pulsed Doppler in femoral (FA), external carotid (CA), uterine (UA) and umbilical arteries (Umb A) of pregnant women before and after aerobic dancing at an intensity of approximately 65% maximal heart rates. The subjects were 21 volunteer pregnant women at from 34 to 40 weeks of gestation without obstetrical problems. The velocimetry was done at intervals of five minutes for only one artery of the four arteries. The measurement was repeated 4 times. The following results were obtained: (1) Both pulse rates and blood pressure (BP) increased significantly five minutes after the onset of exercise (p < 0.05) and tachycardia continued for 20 minutes. The intensity of exercise was equivalent to 68.8 +/- 1.1% of the maximal heart rates (mean +/- S.E.). (2) Systolic peak velocity in the FA of the pregnant women increased by 130%, flow volume per minute jumped by 337% (p < 0.05), and the pulsatility index (PI) decreased by 80% (p < 0.05). (3) Neither the systolic peak velocity nor the PI of CA and UA changed significantly. (4) The FHR became tachycardic due to exercise from 142.2 +/- 2.5 bpm to 161.1 +/- 3.8 bpm, associated with the increase in maternal pulse rates. (5) The PI of Umb A was decreased from 0.95 +/- 0.04 to 0.80 +/- 0.03 by exercise. The PI showed a negative correlation (r = -0.37, p < 0.05) with the FHR, not different from a correlation shown without exercise.