Uterine artery Doppler velocimetry at 11-14 weeks in singleton pregnancies conceived by assisted reproductive technology.
OBJECTIVE
Singleton pregnancies resulting from assisted reproductive technologies (ART) have an increased risk of preterm delivery, pre-eclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction. The aim of the present study was to determine whether first-trimester trophoblastic invasion, as assessed by uterine artery Doppler velocimetry, is different in singleton pregnancies resulting from ART compared to those conceived naturally.


METHODS
Case-control study on 31 singleton ART pregnancies (26 in-vitro fertilization-embryo transfer, five intracytoplasmic sperm injection) and 62 matched pregnancies conceived spontaneously. Doppler velocimetry was performed at 11-14 weeks of gestation.


RESULTS
The mean resistance index (coefficient of variation) was 0.70 (17%) and 0.70 (18%) in ART and controls, respectively (P = 0.92). The corresponding values for mean pulsatility index were 1.40 (44%) and 1.47 (44%) in ART and controls, respectively (P = 0.58). Pregnancies with no, unilateral or bilateral diastolic notches were 48%, 26%, 26% and 36%, 37%, 27%, in ART and controls, respectively (P = 0.43).


CONCLUSIONS
There are no differences in uterine artery Doppler indices between pregnancies obtained by invasive ART and naturally conceived matched controls. This finding suggests that there is no major difference in trophoblastic invasion of the maternal spiral arteries between ART and spontaneous pregnancies.
Prefumo
F
F
Fetal Medicine Unit, Department of Clinical Developmental Sciences, St. George's, University of London, London, UK. fprefumo@sgul.ac.uk
Fratelli
N
N
Soares
S C
SC
Thilaganathan
B
B
D000328:Adult; D001158:Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011247:Pregnancy; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted; D012307:Risk Factors; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler / Q000379:methods; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods; D014599:Uterus / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging