Summary
Blood flow velocity waveforms (FVW) were recorded weekly from the umbilical and arcuate arteries in 58 hospitalised women with a pregnancy complicated by pre-eclampsia. The maximum velocity waveform was analysed for pulsatility index (PI) and the results from the final antenatal examination were related to the outcome of pregnancy. The umbilical artery FVW was abnormal in 36% of the pre-eclamptic pregnancies, as was the arcuate artery FVW in 42%. No difference in FVW was found between mild and severe pre-eclampsia. Abnormal FVW in the umbilical artery was associated significantly both with intra-uterine growth retardation (IUGR) (P<0.001) and with signs of fetal distress (FD) (P<0.05). Abnormal arcuate artery FVW was associated with FD (P<0.05), but not with IUGR. The outcome of pregnancy was related to Placenta Waveform Class, which was derived from the blood velocity on both maternal and fetal sides of placenta. The results suggest that ultrasound Doppler examination of the umbilical artery is a useful aid in monitoring pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia, but that arcuate artery examination needs further evaluation.
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Gudmundsson, S., Maršál, K. Ultrasound Doppler evaluation of uteroplacental and fetoplacental circulation in pre-eclampsia. Arch Gynecol Obstet 243, 199–206 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00932268
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00932268