INTRAVENOUS XE-133 METHOD FOR MEASURING REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION OF PLACENTAL BLOOD-FLOW

Abstract. A new method for measuring regional distribution of placental blood flow is presented. After 2–5 mCi of 133Xe saline has been injected intravenously, the counts over the placenta are registered with a scintillation camera interfaced with a digital data storage and television readout system. Using “area of interest” technique, time activity curves are obtained for different regions. Analysis of the curves is based on two‐exponential curve fitting. In normal pregnancy the mean intervillous flow in 16 healthy women was 125 ml/min/100 ml and myometrial flow 17 ml/min/100 g. The intervillous flow in the central part of the placenta was 55% higher than in the marginal parts. The myometrial flow in the placental area was nearly the same as outside the placenta. 1978 Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand