title: Uterine artery velocimetry and spontaneous preterm delivery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate if idiopathic spontaneous preterm delivery is associated with abnormal uteroplacental circulation, as assessed by Doppler velocimetry.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was carried out on 417 women who had Doppler velocimetry performed between 25-36 weeks' gestation and were subsequently delivered vaginally. The systolic-diastolic ratio (S/D) was computed for the uterine and umbilical arteries, and the outcomes of pregnancies with spontaneous preterm and term deliveries were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Uterine artery S/D was significantly higher (P < .0001) in the 31 patients delivered preterm, whereas no significant difference was observed in the umbilical S/D. Abnormal values of uterine S/D were detected in 58.1% of the preterm group, independent of the gestational age at examination. No significant increase in S/D was observed in patients hospitalized for preterm labor who delivered subsequently at term. Spontaneous preterm delivery was associated with increased uterine S/D among both pregnancies with small for gestational age fetuses and those with appropriately grown fetuses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Preterm delivery is associated with modifications of uterine artery Doppler velocimetry, suggesting that impaired trophoblastic invasion of the placental bed may play a role in determining preterm delivery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Strigini
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lencioni
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: De Luca
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lombardo
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bianchi
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Genazzani
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001158:Arteries; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003971:Diastole; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017078:Laser-Doppler Flowmetry; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D012307:Risk Factors; D013599:Systole; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods*; D014469:Umbilical Arteries; D014599:Uterus / Q000098:blood supply*