Which condition describes the transfer of arterial blood from the donor twin into the recipient twin's venous system?

Which condition describes the transfer of arterial blood from the donor twin into the recipient twin's venous system?

• A. twin to twin transfusion syndrome
• B. donor to recipient transfusion syndrome
• C. twin transfusion disease
• D. placental transfusion syndrome

Answer: (A)

This describes twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome. In TTTS, placental vascular connections create an arterial-to-venous shunt from the donor twin to the recipient twin. Arterial blood from the donor plasma flows into the recipient’s venous system, leading to different effects in the two twins: the donor becomes hypovolemic and often anemic with reduced amniotic fluid (oligohydramnios), while the recipient becomes hypervolemic with increased amniotic fluid (polyhydramnios) and potential cardiac strain. Ultrasound findings typically show discordant amniotic fluid volumes and imbalanced Doppler patterns between twins. The condition is specifically defined by this pathophysiology of arterial-to-venous transfusion through placental anastomoses, which is why TTTS is the correct term. Other listed terms are not standard descriptors of this mechanism.

This describes twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome. In TTTS, placental vascular connections create an arterial-to-venous shunt from the donor twin to the recipient twin. Arterial blood from the donor plasma flows into the recipient’s venous system, leading to different effects in the two twins: the donor becomes hypovolemic and often anemic with reduced amniotic fluid (oligohydramnios), while the recipient becomes hypervolemic with increased amniotic fluid (polyhydramnios) and potential cardiac strain. Ultrasound findings typically show discordant amniotic fluid volumes and imbalanced Doppler patterns between twins. The condition is specifically defined by this pathophysiology of arterial-to-venous transfusion through placental anastomoses, which is why TTTS is the correct term. Other listed terms are not standard descriptors of this mechanism.