Doppler umbilical artery velocimetry in pregnancy complicated by insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

The mean peak systolic to end-diastolic (S/D) umbilical artery ratio was measured in 291 Doppler studies performed during pregnancy in 35 insulin-dependent diabetic women. A normal decline was observed in the umbilical artery S/D ratio, from 4.2 +/- 0.21 at 18 weeks to 2.18 +/- 0.22 at 38 weeks. There was no significant correlation between mean third-trimester S/D and either glycosylated hemoglobin (r = 0.25) or mean blood glucose levels (r = 0.15). Fetuses of women with vascular disease (class F/R or chronic hypertension) had a mean third-trimester S/D of 3.0 or higher in five of ten cases, compared with three of 25 in patients with uncomplicated diabetes (P less than .03). Mean second- and third-trimester S/D ratios differed significantly in patients with and without vascular disease: 4.34 +/- 0.7 and 3.2 +/- 0.65 versus 3.72 +/- 0.42 and 2.55 +/- 0.32, respectively (P less than .03). Two of three women without vascular disease who demonstrated an elevated mean S/D ratio developed preeclampsia and delivered appropriate for gestational age infants. In women with vascular disease, four of five with an abnormal mean third-trimester umbilical artery S/D ratio were delivered of growth-retarded infants, whereas all five with normal umbilical artery S/D ratios had appropriate for gestational age infants. In three of the abnormal cases, elevated S/D ratios were present in the second trimester before ultrasound documentation of fetal growth retardation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

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     

Uterine and umbilical artery velocimetry during normal labor

Twelve normal parturients were studied with a continuous wave Doppler unit to assess changes in uterine and umbilical velocity waveforms during labor. The analysis of these waveforms included the peak systolic/end-diastolic ratio and the evaluation of a diastolic notch. Each woman served as her own control, and all fetal heart rate tracings were normal. In latent phase labor and intact membranes, the umbilical artery systolic/end diastolic ratios before, during, and after a contraction were 2 +/- 0.2, 2 +/- 0.3 and 1.95 +/- 0.3 (N.S.). Similar results were obtained in the active phase, after rupture of membranes, or during oxytocin stimulation. This stability of the fetal cardiovascular system ensures an uninterrupted gas exchange process during the contractions (on the fetal side), enabling the great majority of term fetuses to tolerate labor with minimal if any metabolic changes. The uterine artery end-diastolic velocity fell progressively during the contraction, reaching 0 when the intrauterine pressure exceeded 35 mm Hg. Despite intrauterine pressure of greater than 60 mm Hg, the diastolic notch did not appear. Thus at term, the umbilical artery velocity waveform does not change over a wide range of uterine pressures. The changes seen in the uterine artery waveforms suggest that the end-diastolic component is primarily determined by changes in the arcuate and spiral arteries, both of which are affected during the uterine contraction.     

Doppler umbilical artery velocimetry in fetuses with polyhydramnios

Polyhydramnios is a condition of multiple etiologies, many of a benign nature, but some of which are incompatible with life. To evaluate Doppler velocimetry results as a prognostic parameter in these fetuses, we reviewed all of our cases of polyhydramnios that underwent Doppler analysis in the third trimester. Fifty-four fetuses were studied. Eleven (20.4%) had abnormal waveforms and 43 (79.6%) had normal waveforms. An abnormal waveform was associated with a significantly higher incidence of congenital anomalies, perinatal mortality and intrauterine growth retardation. Six of the 11 fetuses had abnormal karyotypes. Macrosomia was present in 37.2% of fetuses with normal waveforms and in no fetus with an abnormal waveform. Doppler analysis may aid in the counseling and management of patients with polyhydramnios. In cases with an abnormal ratio, the physician and patients should be prepared for a poor outcome and third trimester genetic analysis should be strongly considered.     

Maternal glycemic control and umbilical artery Doppler velocimetry

Objective: To determine whether information from umbilical artery Doppler flow velocity waveforms significantly improves the prediction of adverse perinatal outcome, independently of maternal glycemic control, in pregnancies complicated by diabetes. Study design: The medical records of 277 pregnant women with diabetes were reviewed. Glycemic control was determined by glycosylated hemoglobin concentration and umbilical artery Doppler velocimetry by using systolic/diastolic ratios (S : D), both obtained during the third trimester. Pregnancies with adverse perinatal outcome were compared to those with good outcome. Logistic regression analysis was used to adjust for glycemic control, and to test whether an elevated umbilical artery Doppler S : D ratio was independently associated with pregnancy outcome. Results: Adverse pregnancy outcome occurred in 51.6% of these pregnancies (143/277). The mean third-trimester glycosylated hemoglobin (7.7 ± 1.9% vs. 6.7 ± 1.3%, p < 0.001) and the umbilical artery S : D ratio were significantly higher (2.6 ± 0.6 vs. 2.4 ± 0.3, p < 0.001) in the pregnancies with adverse outcome. Logistic regression analysis showed that umbilical artery S : D ratio was an independent predictor of adverse perinatal outcome after adjusting for the third-trimester glycosylated hemoglobin level. Forty per cent of patients with normal Doppler findings (S : D ratio of < 3.0) and normal glycemic control values (glycosylated hemoglobin level of < 7.5%) had an adverse pregnancy outcome. Sixty-three per cent of patients with an abnormal result for one of these tests had an adverse pregnancy outcome. Ninety-six per cent of patients with both abnormal Doppler findings and abnormal glycemic control had an adverse pregnancy outcome. Conclusion: Umbilical artery Doppler velocimetry improves the predictive value for adverse perinatal outcome, independently of glycemic control, in pregnancies complicated by diabetes. The combination of an abnormal umbilical artery S : D ratio and abnormal glycosylated hemoglobin was strongly associated with adverse pregnancy outcome.     

Ophthalmic artery Doppler velocimetry in healthy pregnancy

OBJECTIVES: To establish normative data for ophthalmic artery Doppler parameters throughout a healthy pregnancy, to investigate the possible correlation between these Doppler measurements and gestational age, and to test intraobserver variability. METHODS: A prospective cross-sectional study was performed to assess various Doppler parameters in 276 healthy women between 20 and 39 weeks of gestation. The following measurements were obtained: pulsatility and resistance indices (PI, RI), peak systolic velocity (PSV), peak diastolic velocity (PDV), end diastolic flow velocity (EDFV), and peak ratio (PR). Quantile regression was used to estimate reference values throughout pregnancy and P<0.05 was considered significant. The intraclass correlation coefficient (Intra-CC) was used to calculate intraobserver variability. RESULTS: The 5th and 95th prediction intervals for each gestational age are presented. No significant correlation was detected between Doppler indices and gestational age. Intra-CC was excellent (0.996). CONCLUSIONS: Reference values were generated for ophthalmic artery Doppler measurements, and they did not vary significantly during healthy pregnancy.     

Uterine artery Doppler velocimetry in pregnant women with hypertension

Uterine and umbilical artery velocimetry was carried out on 71 women with hypertensive disorders in pregnancy. Three categories of hypertensive disease were diagnosed: chronic hypertension, preeclampsia, and chronic hypertension with superimposed preeclampsia. Clinical classifications describe the severity of disease effectively, primarily because the classification is based on the appearance of abnormal physical or laboratory findings. Doppler velocimetry of the uterine arteries shows that normal pregnancy occurs when the systolic/diastolic ratio is less than or equal to 2.6. When the ratio exceeds this level and there is a notch in the waveform, the pregnancy is complicated by stillbirth, premature birth, intrauterine growth retardation, and maternal preeclampsia. The positive and negative predictive value of the examination is 93% and 91%, respectively. It appears that this new technology will be an essential ingredient of optimum pregnancy surveillance.     

Uterine artery Doppler velocimetry in patients with idiopathic hydramnios.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of overdistended uterus on the uterine artery (UA) blood flow velocimetry by comparing UA Doppler in patients with idiopathic hydramnios to patients with normal amniotic fluid (AF) volume. METHODS: Pulsatility index (PI) of both UAs was determined prospectively between 26 and 41 weeks of gestation in 72 consecutive pregnant women with singleton pregnancies and idiopathic hydramnios and in 72 pregnant women with normal AF volume. Hydramnios was defined as an AF index (AFI) above 24 cm. A normal amount of AF was defined as an AFI of 6-24 cm. Patients with known fetal structural or chromosomal anomalies and those with diabetes mellitus were excluded. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed between the groups with regard to maternal age, gravidity, and gestational age at examination. Gestational age at delivery and accordingly birth weight were significantly lower in patients with hydramnios compared to those with a normal AFI (34.9 +/- 2.1 vs. 39.1 +/- 1.2, p < 0.001; 2,508 +/- 399 vs. 2,995 +/- 420, p < 0.001, respectively). No significant differences were noted between right UA PI (0.73 +/- 0.3 in the hydramnios group vs. 0.71 +/- 0.2 in the control group; p = 0.091) and left UA PI (0.91 +/- 0.3 in the hydramnios group vs. 0.84 +/- 0.3 in the control group; p = 0.131) of both groups. CONCLUSION: UA velocimetry in patients with idiopathic hydramnios was not significantly different from those with a normal AF volume.     

Uterine artery Doppler in first-trimester pregnancy screening

Uterine artery Doppler velocimetry has revolutionized the investigation of the developing placental vasculature. Abnormal placental vascular development is the basis of common obstetric disorders such as preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction. Uterine artery Doppler velocimetry by itself or in combination with other biochemical markers seems to be an effective first-trimester screening tool for preeclampsia and in particular early-onset preeclampsia. The diagnostic accuracy although statistically significant, is not as high for the prediction of intrauterine growth restriction unrelated to preeclampsia. In the future, first-trimester prophylaxis using antiplatelet agents in Doppler identified high-risk groups could suppress the development of these disorders.     

Use of umbilical artery Doppler velocimetry in the monitoring of pregnancy in women with pre-existing diabetes

BACKGROUND: The usefulness of umbilical artery Doppler velocimetry for the monitoring of diabetic pregnancies is controversial. The aim of the present study was to assess whether umbilical artery Doppler velocity waveform analysis can predict adverse perinatal outcomes for pregnancies complicated by pre-existing diabetes mellitus. METHODS: All diabetic pregnancies (type 1 and 2) delivered at Mater Mothers' Hospital, Queensland, between 1 January 1995 and 31 December 1999 were included. All pregnant diabetic women were monitored with umbilical artery Doppler velocimetry at 28, 32, 36, and 38 weeks' gestation. Adverse perinatal outcome was defined as pregnancies with one or more of the following: small-for-gestational age, Caesarean section for non-reassuring cardiotocography, fetal acidaemia at delivery, 1-min Apgar of 3 or less, 5-min Apgar of less than 7, hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy or perinatal death. Abnormal umbilical artery Doppler velocimetry was defined as a pulsatility index of 95th centile or higher for gestation. RESULTS: One hundred and four pregnancies in women with pre-existing diabetes had umbilical arterial Doppler studies carried out during the study period. Twenty-three pregnancies (22.1%) had an elevated pulsatility index. If the scans were carried out within 2 weeks of delivery, 71% of pregnancies with abnormal umbilical Doppler had adverse outcomes (P < 0.01; likelihood ratio, 4.2). However, the sensitivity was 35%; specificity was 94%; positive predictive value was 80%; and negative predictive value was 68%. Only 30% of women with adverse perinatal outcomes had abnormal umbilical arterial Doppler flow. CONCLUSION: Umbilical artery Doppler velocimetry is not a good predictor of adverse perinatal outcomes in diabetic pregnancies.     

Doppler umbilical artery velocimetry in pregnancies complicated by intrahepatic cholestasis.

Doppler umbilical velocimetry is a useful clinical tool for antepartum fetal surveillance of pregnancies at risk of fetal compromise. Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy is associated with an increased incidence of fetal death, which might due to the toxic effect of elevated maternal serum concentrations of bile acids. To study a possible effect of the concentration of bile acids on the umbilical circulation we performed pulse-wave Doppler velocimetry of the umbilical artery in 15 patients with intrahepatic cholestasis between 34 and 38 weeks of gestation. The findings were compared to the Doppler flow velocities of the umbilical artery of 129 normal pregnancies. Peak-systolic (A) and end-diastolic (B) velocities of two to three cardiac cycles were measured by electronic calipers and the Pourcelot (PR)-index (PR = (A - B)(A)) was calculated. Two of 29 Doppler measurements in patients with intrahepatic cholestasis were above two standard deviations (2 SD) of the values in normal pregnancies. No significant correlation was found between Doppler flow velocities and serum levels of bile acids (r = 0.20) or the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALAT) (r = -0.05). The mean level of bile acids was 24 mumol/l with a maximum of 98 mumol/l. The mean level of ALAT was 165 IU/l with a maximum of 576 IU/l. Since even high levels of bile acids do not influence umbilical circulation, Doppler investigations of the umbilical artery seem to be of little value in studying the disease-specific risk of fetal compromise in pregnancies complicated by intrahepatic cholestasis.     

Renal artery Doppler investigation of the etiology of oligohydramnios in postterm pregnancy

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the etiology of oligohydramnios in postterm pregnancy using Doppler velocimetry. METHODS: Renal and umbilical artery Doppler velocimetry were performed in women with singleton postterm (287 days' or more gestation) pregnancies. The renal and umbilical artery Doppler resistance index (RI) and end-diastolic velocity were measured. Stepwise logistic regression and the two-tailed t test were used to determine whether the Doppler indices correlated with oligohydramnios (amniotic fluid index less than 5 cm). RESULTS: We studied 147 well-dated, singleton, postterm pregnancies, of which 21 (14.3%) had oligohydramnios. For the study cohort, the mean (+/-standard deviation) gestational age at Doppler was 41.4 +/- 0.45 weeks and at delivery 41.8 +/- 0.47 weeks. Stepwise logistic regression using renal and umbilical artery Doppler indices found the renal RI to be the only significant predictor of oligohydramnios: beta = -10.4186, P <.05 (odds ratio [95% confidence interval (CI)] = 0, 0.88). The renal artery RI was significantly higher in cases with oligohydramnios (RI: mean (+/-standard error) = 0.8843 +/- 0.11 versus 0.8601 +/- 0.05, P 相似文献   

Doppler velocimetry in the fetus with a single umbilical artery.

OBJECTIVE: To study Doppler velocimetry in fetuses with a single umbilical artery (SUA) as compared to normal. STUDY DESIGN: Private and clinic patients were referred to a perinatal center: 45 with SUA and 124 randomly selected fetuses with a three-vessel cord were studied from 18 to 41 weeks' gestation. Color Doppler flow and energy were utilized to evaluate the umbilical arteries at the fetal abdominal wall as well as the course around the bladder. In addition to Doppler velocimetry, an anatomic survey, estimated fetal weight (EFW) and amniotic fluid index (AFI) were assessed at each examination. RESULTS: Doppler velocimetry in SUA demonstrated indices in the normal range but lower than in normal cords from 26 weeks until near term. Anatomic anomalies were found in 8.9% of SUA as compared to 4.8% for three-vessel cords. Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) was seen in four cases of SUA and none in the control group. EFW and AFI for both groups were virtually identical. CONCLUSION: SUA cords theoretically carry a normal blood volume, and the decreased resistance to flow and larger arterial diameter allow this to occur. Anomalies and IUGR are elevated in infants with SUA. Overall, EFW and AFI were the same in both groups of patients.     

Uterine artery Doppler screening for adverse pregnancy outcome

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This article reviews publications in the area of uterine artery Doppler screening that were published during the past year. RECENT FINDINGS: Studies have shown that assessment of a woman's level of risk for pre-eclampsia by uterine artery Doppler performs better than maternal history alone. Combination of maternal history and uterine artery Doppler findings leads to even more accurate assessment of risk, and allows calculation of patient-specific risk. Combining screening with uterine artery Doppler and maternal serum biochemical markers has been explored in some studies, but data remain limited and larger prospective longitudinal studies are needed to asses the effectiveness of these techniques. A number of promising markers for development of the disease have been identified, however, including pregnancy associated plasma protein-A, inhibin-A, activin-A and fibronectin, as well as placental growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1. SUMMARY: Uterine artery Doppler has proved useful in identifying women at high and low risk for developing complications of uteroplacental insufficiency and may aid in stratifying antenatal care. In addition, it can identify women in whom biochemical markers should be measured in order to develop screening tests and aid in evaluation of the pathophysiology of impaired placentation and pre-eclampsia. Whether pharmacological intervention in women identified to be at high risk for pre-eclampsia on the basis of Doppler is effective in reducing the incidence of the disease remains to be established.     

Relationship between Doppler velocimetry at middle cerebral artery and umbilical artery and status of newborn

Aim of investigations was qualification of account between Doppler parameters in estimation of fetal state. Investigations one passed on 30 fetuses and newborn children in pregnancies brought. Doppler parameters one priced at use of sonographic device Toshiba SSH 140 A/G and searchers of type convex about working frequency 3.75 MHz. Following Doppler flow blood parameters were analyzed: maximum blood speed (V1) average blood speed (V2) and minimum blood speed (V3), systolic/diastolic ratio (S/D), resistance index (RI), pulsatile index (PI) and proper flow in umbilical cord vein (MF) in following dishes of feto-placental circulation: middle cerebral artery (MCA) and umbilical cord artery (UA). Acid-base equilibrium and gasometry of blood in umbilical cord dishes one marked at use of device Ciba-Corning 278 Blood Gas System and parameters of oxygenation of blood at use of device Ciba-Corning 270 CO-OXIMETER. At new-born children one priced pH-metry (pH) and gasometry (pO2, pCO2, BAA) in blood umbilical cord arterial and venous were measured. The newborn children were estimated by Apgar score. There were following essential statistical correlations between Doppler parameters of fetal blood flow and with parameters of acid-base equilibrium of new-born child: 1/ between V2 and V3 in UA and with supply of rules (BAA) in UV (p = 0.027; p = 0.009) and UA (p = 0.035; p = 0.003) and venous pH (p = 0.022; p = 0.009); 2/ between RI in UA and BAA in UV (p = 0.006) and UA (p = 0.010); 3/ between PI in UA and BAA in UV (p < 0.0001) and UA (p < 0.0001) and pH venous (p < 0.0001). We can conclude that Doppler investigations only by measure of parameters of blood flow in middle cerebral artery and umbilical artery in expectation of state of birth new-born child priced across parameters of acid-base equilibrium and Apgar score are not very useful, however they are helpful.     

Doppler velocimetry in prolonged pregnancy

Eighty-two patients at 287 days' gestation or longer were tested by nonstress test (NST), amnioscopy, ultrasound assessment of amniotic fluid volume, and Doppler velocimetry. Several maternal and fetal arteries were analyzed: uterine, umbilical, descending thoracic aorta, renal, and middle cerebral. During the study, other maternal-fetal functional indices were recorded: hPL, estriol, hematocrit, platelets, mean platelet volume, and uric acid. No abnormalities were found in the uterine, umbilical, middle cerebral, thoracic descending aorta, and renal artery velocimetry in post-dates gestations. However, a significant reduction of the time-averaged mean velocity in the descending thoracic aorta was associated with an increased incidence of oligohydramnios, meconium-stained fluid, abnormal NST, and cesarean delivery for fetal distress. The present study suggests that serial Doppler flow measurements of mean velocity of the fetal descending thoracic aorta may be a simple and rapid technique for identifying prolonged pregnancies at increased risk for perinatal complications.