Response of ovine uterine blood flow to angiotensin II: effect on the fetus

Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1981 Nov 1;141(5):495-8. doi: 10.1016/s0002-9378(15)33267-1.

Abstract

The effect of intravenous infusion of angiotensin II (2 to 200 ng/kg/min) on uterine blood flow and cardiovascular performance was studied in the normotensive, unanesthetized pregnant ewe. With low rates of infusion (2 to 4 ng/kg/min), only a transient increase in uterine blood flow, lasting 1 to 3 minutes, was observed. Higher rates (110 to 200 ng/kg/min) of infusion caused a decrease in uterine blood flow; this decrease was significantly correlated to the dose. Angiotensin II also caused a significant decrease in the maternal heart rate and an increase in mean maternal arterial blood pressure as the rate of infusion was increased. A high rate of infusion resulted in decreased fetal heart rate and PaO2, probably due to a marked reduction in uteroplacental blood flow.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Angiotensin II / administration & dosage*
  • Animals
  • Blood Gas Analysis
  • Blood Pressure / drug effects
  • Cardiovascular System / drug effects*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Female
  • Fetal Heart / drug effects
  • Heart Rate / drug effects
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy, Animal*
  • Regional Blood Flow / drug effects
  • Sheep / physiology*
  • Uterus / blood supply*

Substances

  • Angiotensin II