Combined examination of middle cerebral artery and umbilical artery flow velocity waveforms in growth-retarded fetuses.
The resistance index (RI) of middle cerebral artery (MCA) and umbilical artery (UA) flow velocity waveforms (FVWs) were characterized retrospectively in 60 growth-retarded fetuses in the third trimester of gestation. Reference ranges of MCA-RI, UA-RI, and the UA-RI/MCA-RI ratio to gestational age were obtained from a cross-sectional study of 150 healthy fetuses. Growth-retarded fetuses that developed fetal distress had lower MCA-RIs, higher UA-RIs, and higher UA-RI/MCA-RI ratios than growth-retarded fetuses that had good outcomes. The highest sensitivity for fetal distress was observed in the UA-RI/MCA-RI ratio (UA-RI/MCA-RI 94.1%, MCA-RI 79.4%, UA-RI 61.8%), and the highest specificity was in MCA-RI (MCA-RI 92.3%, UA-RI 84.6%, UA-RI/MCA-RI 76.9%). In growth-retarded fetuses, the combined examination of MCA FVWs and UA FVWs was more useful in assessing fetal well-being than examination of UA FVWs alone.
Sekizuka
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Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Niigata University School of Medicine, Japan.
D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D002536:Cerebral Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D014469:Umbilical Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*