The use of pressure monitoring to standardize fetal arterial visualization

Abstract

The application of a new x-ray opaque postmortem perfusion system for the visualization of vascular structures in fetal models is presented. This new system allows pig fetus perfusion to be performed at pressures of less than 30 mmHg. At higher pressures, extravasations were observed in known weak spots in the fetal vasculature, and multiple perfusions at the same pressure exhibited similar patterns of extravasation (demonstrated at all pressures studied). Therefore this technique is controllable and predictable. It will allow determination of fetal vascular malformations which have been implicated as causes of many birth defects.