Journal article
Increased right ventricular power and ductal characteristic impedance underpin higher pulmonary arterial blood flow after betamethasone therapy in fetal lambs
JJ Smolich, JP Mynard
Pediatric Research | NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP | Published : 2018
Abstract
Background: The glucocorticosteroid betamethasone is routinely administered prior to anticipated preterm birth to enhance lung maturation. While betamethasone also increases fetal pulmonary blood flow and reduces pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), we investigated whether alterations in right ventricular (RV) function and ductal characteristic impedance (Zc) additionally contributed to rises in pulmonary flow. Methods: Anesthetized preterm fetal lambs with (n = 10) or without (n = 8) betamethasone pretreatment were instrumented with a pulmonary trunk micromanometer and ductus arteriosus and left pulmonary artery (PA) flow probes to calculate Zc, and obtain RV output and hydraulic power. Res..
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Awarded by State Government of Victoria
Funding Acknowledgements
We thank Magdy Sourial, Rebecca Sutton, Sara White, Amy Tilley, and Aaron Mocciaro for their assistance with experimental studies, and Dr. Kelly Kenna for assistance with experimental studies and manuscript preparation. This work was supported by Grant-in-Aid GM12M6372 from the National Heart Foundation of Australia, Project Grant 1105137 from the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia, and the Victorian Government's Operational Infrastructure Support Program. J.P.M. is supported by a Career Development Fellowship co-funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia (GNT1143510) and National Heart Foundation (101866).