Tubal artery blood flow in evaluation of tubal pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate whether the assessment of tubal blood flow can indicate the side of the total pregnancy.


METHODS
Using transvaginal color Doppler ultrasonography, we measured blood flow in the total arteries on both sides in 46 women with early ectopic pregnancy. We compared the resistance index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) values of the tubal artery flow on the tubal pregnancy side to the contralateral side.


RESULTS
The Resistance index (RI) and Pulsatility index (PI) values were lower at the tubal pregnancy side in 70% and 61%, respectively, when compared with the contralateral side. However, in the mean values of RI and PI the difference between the sides was not statistically significant. During the follow up in cases with spontaneous resolution between-side difference was often subjected to changes.


CONCLUSIONS
Assessment of tubal blood flow by using transvaginal color Doppler sonography to the evaluation of the side of tubal pregnancy has limited clinical value.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland.
V
V
Stefanovic
B
B
Cacciatore
P
P
Ylöstalo
D005187:Fallopian Tubes / Q000098:blood supply*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011274:Pregnancy, Tubal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011673:Pulsatile Flow; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color; D014655:Vascular Resistance