Prediction of placental drug transfer using the human placental perfusion model.

The placental perfusion model and a newly developed complementary computational model are reviewed. Examples are provided, where the computational model can be applied to adjust drug pharmacokinetic data obtained from the perfusion model to more closely resemble the in vivo placental transfer of therapeutic agents. After modelling the data, placental perfusion experiments can be used to predict placental drug transfer and can be useful for clinical assessment of the risks and benefits of drug therapy in pregnancy.