Transvaginal Doppler ultrasound with color flow imaging in the diagnosis of luteal phase defect (LPD).
OBJECTIVE
Our purpose was to determine whether color flow pulsed Doppler could predict a luteal phase defect (LDP).


METHODS
Twenty-one women with regular menstrual cycles and at risk for luteal phase defect were examined by transvaginal color Doppler during the follicular and luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Progesterone was measured on the day of the Doppler exam. Ovulation was determined from the lutenizing hormone (LH) surge. Endometrial biopsy during the late luteal phase was performed on each patient.


RESULTS
Six patients (28.5%) were diagnosed with luteal phase defect. Mean resistance index in patients with luteal phase defect was significantly higher only throughout the luteal phases (p = 0.02). Mean progesterone levels were significantly lower for patients with LPD than for normal women (p < 0.001). Mean pulsatility index in luteal phase deficient cycles was significantly higher throughout the follicular and luteal phases (p = 0.03).


CONCLUSIONS
Color Doppler may aid in assessing luteal phase adequacy. Doppler indices of corpus luteum blood flow in combination to plasma progesterone may be a useful index of luteal function.
Kalogirou
D
D
2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Areteion Hospital, University, Athens, Greece.
Antoniou
G
G
Botsis
D
D
Kontoravdis
A
A
Vitoratos
N
N
Giannikos
L
L
D003338:Corpus Luteum / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008183:Luteal Phase; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D010049:Ovarian Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D011673:Pulsatile Flow; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color; D018617:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Pulsed; D014655:Vascular Resistance
D011374:Progesterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone