John Brock-Utne
Publication Details
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Hypothesis: volatile anaesthetic agents enhance transplacental exchange between mother and fetus. A preliminary study of fetal scalp blood gas changes associated with enflurane anaesthesia.
S Afr Med J. 1979; (1): 17-20
A hypothesis that volatile anaesthetic agents, represented by enflurane, facilitate transplacental exchange was tested by simultaneous blood sampling of both mother and fetus. A trend towards improved fetal scalp blood gas status and maternal-to-fetal acid-base matching was observed with enflurane. Our results encourage further research into the feasibility of intra-uterine fetal resuscitation by anaesthetically induced promotion of intervillous perfusion.
