ABSTRACT
Because of these data, we assumed in our models that both the length and diameter of all anastomoses grow proportional to gestational age. This assumption has considerable consequences, relevant for the etiology and pathophysiology of TTTS: the laminar flow resistance (see below) of all anastomoses decreases significantly and at an increasing rate during gestation. Therefore, arteriovenous fetofetal transfusion from donor to recipient also increases significantly and at an increasing rate during gestation. In contrast, fetal growth increases only moderately. Thus, arteriovenous transfusion will affect fetal growth.
