Abstract #0969

Magnetic Resonance Imaging quantification of venous return in pregnant women: A comparison between supine and left lateral tilt position.

Emer J Hughes¹, Anthony N Price², Laura McCabe¹, Kelly Pegoretti Baruteau¹, Jana Hutter², Olivia Carney¹, Andreia S Gaspar², Joseph V Hajnal², and Mary Rutherford¹

¹Perinatal Imaging and Health, Kings College London, London, United Kingdom, ²Biomedical Engineering, Kings College London, London, United Kingdom

In-vivo imaging of the fetus is commonly undertaken in the left-lateral position to prevent compression of the inferior vena cava (IVC) and hence a vasovagal episode. Studies have shown that the IVC has collateral pathways, such as the lumbar venous plexus and the lumbar veins that provide collateral venous return. Here, we use phase contrast imaging to assess the venous return pathways in pregnant women lying supine and left lateral tilt in the MRI scanner. We found that the spinal venous plexus and the ascending lumbar veins act as a complimentary venous return system to maintain vascular homeostasis in pregnant women lying supine. This supports the proposition that it is feasible to scan pregnant women safely in the supine position.

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