Uterine artery Doppler velocimetry with leiomyomas

The study was conducted to establish a correlation between Doppler velocimetry in relation to uterine weight in any phase of the menstrual cycle and symptoms in women who have leiomyomas. Doppler velocimetry was carried out on both uterine arteries in 18 pre-menopausal women and one post-menopausal woman prior to undergoing abdominal hysterectomy at Winthrop University Hospital in Mineola, NY and at Ioannina University Hospital. The t-test was used for statistical analysis. Changes in flow velocity correlatd directly with uterine size. When a division at 500 g was used, S/D ratio was 2.74±0.53 for larger uteri vs. 4.2±1.24 for smaller uteri, p<0.006. Eight women presented heavy bleeding and the mean S/D ratio was 3.75±1.36 while eleven women presented mild bleeding and the mean S/D ratio was 3.51±1.2 (p>0.5). Thus the study has demonstrated that in cases of uterine leiomyomas, the uterine artery flow increases although angiography had previously shown decreased vascularity within the tumor. Received: 9 April 1997 / Accepted: 22 December 1997