Simultaneous multigate spectral Doppler imaging of the umbilical artery and placental vessels: novel ultrasound technology.
OBJECTIVE
To establish gestational age-specific nomograms of pulsatility indices in the umbilical artery and chorionic and intraplacental vessels, using novel ultrasound technology.


METHODS
A prospective, cross-sectional study of 160 healthy singleton pregnancies between 18 and 33 weeks of gestation.


METHODS
Using simultaneous multigate spectral Doppler imaging specialized hardware and software, we measured the flow velocity waveforms of the umbilical artery, chorionic and intraplacental vessels. Computerized automatic mapping calculated the pulsatility indices in regions of interest.


RESULTS
Data were adequately obtained for 160 fetuses. The pulsatility index values in the three sites measured decreased with advancing gestational age; the correlation coefficients r = -0.74, r = -0.67 and r = -0.68 for the umbilical artery, chorionic and intraplacental vessels, respectively, were found to be highly statistically significant (p < 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
Simultaneous multigate spectral Doppler imaging provides simultaneous measurements of the velocity waveforms in the umbilical artery, chorionic and intraplacental vessels, and is a feasible and reproducible method of obtaining these data. The normal data presented may facilitate early detection of flow disturbances in the fetoplacental circulation.
Yagel
S
S
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hadassah University Hospital, Mount Scopus, Jerusalem, Israel.
Anteby
E Y
EY
Shen
O
O
Cohen
S M
SM
Friedman
Z
Z
Achiron
R
R
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D010920:Placenta / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D021041:Placental Circulation / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011673:Pulsatile Flow / Q000502:physiology; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color / Q000379:methods*; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D014469:Umbilical Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*