What question did this study set out to answer?

To review the hemodynamics of fetal pulmonary circulation and examine the physiological factors that reduce pulmonary vascular resistance after birth.

October 1, 1979Annual Review of Physiology

Fetal and Neonatal Pulmonary Circulation

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Authors

ARAbraham M. RudolphBoston University

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Implication

Review reveals patterns of fetal pulmonary shunting and vascular resistance in neonates, indicating mechanisms driving postnatal cardiopulmonary transition.

Key Points

To review the hemodynamics of fetal pulmonary circulation and examine the physiological factors that reduce pulmonary vascular resistance after birth.
Narrative synthesis evaluating fetal pulmonary arterial pressures, blood flow distribution, and vascular responses across gestation.
Analysis of physiological shunts—namely the ductus arteriosus and foramen ovale—and mechanisms directing blood flow away from the unexpanded fetal lungs.
High pulmonary vascular resistance in utero diverts approximately 85% to 90% of right ventricular ejection away from the lungs via the ductus arteriosus.
Because the right ventricle generates about 66% of the combined ventricular output, approximately 60% of total cardiac output bypasses pulmonary circulation entirely.
Birth triggers a marked reduction in pulmonary vascular resistance, which rapidly increases pulmonary blood flow to support independent neonatal respiration.

Cite This Study

Abraham M. Rudolph (1979) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a7a815c756812e395899f02 https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.ph.41.030179.002123

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Implication

Review reveals patterns of fetal pulmonary shunting and vascular resistance in neonates, indicating mechanisms driving postnatal cardiopulmonary transition.

Fetal and Neonatal Pulmonary Circulation

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Fetal and Neonatal Pulmonary Circulation

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

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