Three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasound of the subendometrial blood flow under the administration of a contrast agent (Levovist).
METHODS
Based on the results from 42 IVF patients on the day of oocyte aspiration, our study tested the hypothesis that 3-D Doppler ultrasound of the endometrium supported by a contrast agent possesses advantages over a conventional 3-D Doppler ultrasound examination. We also determined whether the subendometrial blood flow indices measured under continuous infusion of Levovist (Schering, Berlin, Germany) were an indicator of a successful implantation.


RESULTS
It was demonstrated that, after the administration of Levovist, all subendometrial blood flow parameters (e.g., vascularization index [VI: 8.82+/-16.64], flow index [FI: 35.67+/-9.33], and vascularization flow index [VFI: 3.99+/-8.80]) were significantly higher than without the contrast agent ( p<0.001; VI: 3.09+/-7.11; FI: 29.13+/-14.26; VFI: 1.35+/-3.31). However, no significant differences between blood flow with contrast agent and pregnancy rate were found.


CONCLUSIONS
In summary, quantitative 3-D Doppler ultrasound employing Levovist (Schering, Berlin, Germany) is significantly more sensitive when compared to conventional 3-D Doppler examination. For the first time this was demonstrated on 42 IVF patients on the day of oocyte aspiration. However, no correlation with outcome of the IVF-treatment could be found.
Dorn
C
C
Division of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Bonn, Germany. dorn@uni-bonn.de
Reinsberg
J
J
Willeke
C
C
Wendt
A
A
van der Ven
H
H
Schild
R L
RL
D000328:Adult; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003287:Contrast Media; D004717:Endometrium / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D011134:Polysaccharides; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler / Q000379:methods*
D003287:Contrast Media; D011134:Polysaccharides; C059891:SHU 508