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Biomedical subjects

C Romanini

Publications and source records attributed to C Romanini.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

Modulation of echocardiographic parameters by fetal behaviour.

In order to verify if fetal behavioural states could affect cardiac parameters, thirty-one healthy fetuses were studied near term. We evaluated systolic time intervals (pre-ejection period and ventricular ejection time), M-mode parameters (fractional shortening and mean circumferential shortening) and Doppler flow velocities (mean peak velocity of aortic and pulmonary arteries) of left and right ventricles. Both fetal breathing movements and fetal heart rate patterns seem to modify these parameters with an increase of cardiac contractility during active phases of fetal behaviour.

Blood Flow Velocity↗
PubMed1987

Fetal behaviour in growth retardation: its relationship to fetal blood flow.

The fetal behaviour of asymmetrical growth retarded fetuses was compared with that of a control group of healthy fetuses. Fetuses underwent simultaneous cardiotocographic and echographic examinations for two consecutive hours at 36-38 weeks of gestation. The distribution of gross fetal body movements, fetal breathing movements and fetal eye movements was analysed during the different fetal heart rate patterns. Furthermore, the incidence and organization of fetal behavioural states was investigated. The degree of vascular peripheral resistance was also evaluated by means of pulsed doppler ultrasonic equipment. Growth retarded fetuses were divided into two groups on the basis of the presence or absence of end diastolic flow in the fetal thoracic descending aorta. Growth retarded fetuses showed a delay in the integration of behavioural patterns and a lower coincidence of behavioural states. These findings are particularly evident in the fetuses with a severe increase of peripheral vascular resistance (absence of end diastolic flow in descending aorta). Thus, we suggest that a delay in central nervous system development is present in asymmetrical growth retarded fetuses and that there is a possible relationship of this delay to the degree of peripheral vascular resistance.

Blood Circulation↗
PubMed1987

Longitudinal assessment of blood flow velocity waveforms in the healthy human fetus.

A longitudinal study was carried out on 30 healthy fetuses in order to assess the modifications of fetal blood flow throughout pregnancy. The pulsatility index was evaluated at two-week intervals by means of pulsed Doppler equipment. In the umbilical artery measurements were performed from 20 weeks onwards, whereas in the descending aorta and internal carotid artery analysis started from 26 weeks onwards. A decrease of the pulsatility index in umbilical artery and in the ratio between the pulsatility indexes in umbilical artery and internal carotid artery was found over the second half of pregnancy.

Aorta, Thoracic↗
PubMed1987

Effect of naloxone on fetal behavior near term.

Fetal behavior was studied after intravenous administration of either 0.4 mg of naloxone or an equal volume of saline solution in 54 healthy pregnant women near term. The number, duration, and amplitude of fetal heart rate accelerations increased after naloxone injection. The incidence of both gross fetal body movements and fetal breathing movements increased, especially in the first hour after naloxone administration. The distribution of fetal behavioral states was modified with a prevalence of active sleep and active awake states compared to the quiet sleep state. These data suggest that endorphins could be involved in the modulation of fetal behavior.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Utero-placental blood flow velocity waveforms as predictors of pregnancy-induced hypertension.

Sixty high-risk pregnancies were studied in order to define the validity of the analysis of utero-placental blood flow velocity waveforms in early screening for developing hypertensive diseases. Recordings were obtained at 18-20 weeks gestation, in normotensive patients, using a pulsed duplex Doppler system at the level of uterine vessels. The patients (n = 22) who developed hypertension showed a higher resistance index value (p less than 0.001) than normotensive patients (n = 38). The validity of uteroplacental waveform analysis was as follows: specificity = 84.2%; sensitivity = 63.6%; positive predictive value = 70%; negative predictive value = 80%; accuracy = 76.6%. The high specificity attained suggests that this test can adequately identify, among a high-risk population, patients destined to remain normotensive during pregnancy.

Arteries↗
PubMed1987

Effects of nifedipine on umbilical artery velocity waveforms in healthy human fetuses.

The purpose of this investigation was to analyze the changes in umbilical artery (UA) velocity waveforms after administration of nifedipine in 30 healthy pregnant women. The effects on fetal and maternal heart rates and maternal arterial pressure were also analyzed. The patients included in this double blind study received sublingually either 10 mg of nifedipine or a placebo. A transient fall of the UA resistance (as expressed by the pulsatility index) occurred 15 min after nifedipine administration, but resistance returned to control values after 90 min. Maternal heart rate increased after nifedipine administration and returned toward the control value by 45 min. Fetal heart rate and maternal mean arterial pressure did not change significantly. These data suggest a possible use of nifedipine to normalize the UA velocity waveform in pregnancies complicated by hypertension and fetal growth retardation.

Blood Flow Velocity↗
PubMed1987

Loss of circadian rhythms of fetal behaviour in a totally adrenalectomized pregnant woman.

Fetal heart rate and fetal movements were recorded over a 24-hour interval in a totally adrenalectomized pregnant woman at term. Cortisol, ACTH, unconjugated estriol and 17 beta-estradiol were contemporaneously measured every 2 h in the maternal peripheral plasma. Owing to the substitution therapy the patient showed a loss of circadian variations of all the hormones investigated. Moreover, the circadian rhythms of fetal heart rate and fetal movements, usually present at term, were no longer evident. We can thus suggest that the circadian variations of plasma maternal cortisol could affect the alternations of fetal behaviour.

Adrenalectomy↗
PubMed1987

Fetal blood flow velocity waveforms as predictors of growth retardation.

Seventy-five high-risk pregnancies were studied in order to define the clinical value of the analysis of fetal blood flow velocity waveforms in early screening for growth retardation. Recordings were obtained at 26-28 weeks' gestation, in the absence of ultrasonographic signs of growth retardation, using a pulsed duplex Doppler system. The pulsatility index was evaluated at the level of the umbilical artery, descending aorta, and internal carotid artery. Fetuses (N = 23) who developed growth retardation showed higher values of pulsatility index in the umbilical artery (P less than .001) and descending aorta (P less than .05) than fetuses of normal growth. In the internal carotid artery, the pulsatility index was lower (P less than .001) in the fetuses who developed growth retardation than in those with normal growth. The ratio between the pulsatility indexes of the umbilical and internal carotid arteries proved an accurate predictor of growth retardation (specificity 92.3%; sensitivity 78.2%; positive predictive value 81.8%; negative predictive value 90.5%; accuracy 88%).

Blood Flow Velocity↗
PubMed1986

Effects of free fatty acids and L-carnitine on the spontaneous motility of rat isolated uterine horn.

In the present investigation the effects of free fatty acids (FFA) and L-carnitine were investigated on the rat isolated uterine horn. The cumulative addition of FFA and L-carnitine to the isolated organ bath produced a significant increase of isometric developed tension and functional activity, especially evident at 5 mM carnitine concentration. No variations in the frequency of contractions were found. These data suggest a possible role of FFA as energy source in the rat uterus.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Score systems in perinatal medicine.

Details of some common scoring systems in use for perinatal medicine are outlined. Their advantages and limitations are briefly discussed.

Apgar Score↗
PubMed1981

[Electromyography of the perineum. Demonstration of the method].

The Authors, by means of surface E.M.G. have investigated the perineal potentials. The choice of surface E.M.G. is due to the good acceptance of the method by the patients, as it does not interfere with muscular activity and mental concentration, which are fundamental for a good application of R.A.T.

Autogenic Training↗
PubMed1981

[Results of electromyography of the perineum of women in labor prepared and unprepared by the respiratory autogenic training method].

The Authors, by means of surface E.M.G. of perineum, have analyzed statistically the potentials registered in two groups of pregnant women in labor, the first prepared according to the R.A.T. method, the second utilized as a control group. The complete automatization of the analysis was allowed to exclude any bias. The differences of the perineal potentials registered in the groups were statistically significant.

Autogenic Training↗