Abstract
An experimental study of fetal incubation in artificial amniotic fluid was performed. Seven goat fetuses obtained by caesarian incision (average gestational age was 126 days) underwent cannulation through the umbilical arteries and veins. ECMO circuits contained hollowfiber type membrane oxygenators (0.5 m2) and autoregulating sensors. The fetuses were incubated in an artificial amniotic fluid made by the authors, and which has the same contents as goat amniotic fluid. A-V shunts were performed by a conventional roller pump until coming to cardiac arrest. The duration of ECMO perfusion in each case ranged from 4 to 109 hours. During ECMO perfusion, colour Doppler ultrasonographic examinations showed the persistence of fetal circulation through the ductus arteriosus and foramen ovale. Hemodynamics of the fetus undergoing incubation depended on the perfusion rate of ECMO. At a perfusion rate of 100ml/kg/min, the oxygen supply amounts to about 14ml/kg/min and oxygen consumption becomes stable. On A-V ECMO for fetuses, it was advantageous to obtain a flow rate above 100ml/kg/min which is that of V-A ECMO for infants.
