Superior Vena Cava Flow: Role, Assessment and Controversies in the Management of Perinatal Perfusion
The superior vena cava (SVC) is a large vein responsible for the venous return of blood from structures located superior to the diaphragm. The flow in the SVC can be assessed with Doppler ultrasound and can be used as a proxy for cerebral perfusion. Early clinical research studies showed that low SVC flow, particularly if for a prolonged period, was associated with short term morbidity such as intraventricular haemorrhage, mortality, and poorer neurodevelopmental outcomes. However, these findings have not been consistently reported in more recent studies, and the role of SVC flow in early management and as a predictor of poor long-term neurodevelopment has been questioned.
Source: Seminars in Fetal and Neonatal Medicine - Category: Perinatology & Neonatology Authors: Koert de Waal, Martin Kluckow Source Type: research