A surgical approach to bovine fetal catheterization and hemodynamics

Procedures have been described which make an additional mammalian fetus available to interested investigators. The postsurgical management of the cow and calf is discussed. Physiologic measurements were made of several parameters by intracardiac catheterization of eighteen bovine fetuses. These measurements were continued for sixty minutes after delivery. The parameters measured and discussed include right and left ventricular mean systolic and diastolic pressures, and blood gas analysis, intra-aortic temperature, left ventricular output, and maximal rates of pressure rise in the right and left ventricle.