Reliability analysis on ductus venosus assessment at 11-14 weeks' gestation in a high-risk population.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the intra- and interobserver reliability of the fetal ductus venosus (DV) blood flow measurements at 11-14 weeks' gestation in a high-risk population for chromosomal defects.


METHODS
Thirty-five consecutive singleton pregnancies at high risk for chromosomal or genetic anomalies were included. DV end-diastolic velocity (EDV) and the pulsatility index for veins (PIV) were determined by manual tracing in three sets of waveforms by a single sonographist to assess intraobserver reliability using transvaginal ultrasound. Subsequently, the EDV and the PIV were also determined in a further set by a second sonographist to assess interobserver reliability. Reliability was evaluated by means of the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC). The degree of agreement was also examined using the limits of agreement method.


RESULTS
The intraobserver reliability was 0.81 (95% C.I. 0.69-0.89) for EDV and 0.91 (95% C.I. 0.85-0.95) for the PIV, both corresponding to almost perfect reliability. The interobserver reliability was 0.50 (95% C.I. 0.20-0.70) for EDV, and 0.74 (95% C.I. 0.54-0.86) for PIV, corresponding respectively to moderate and substantial reliabilities. The 95% interval of the EDV differences (cm/s) within and between observers were (+6.1, - 4.6) and (+13.6, - 9.7), respectively. The 95% interval of the PIV differences within and between observers were (+0.32, - 0.36) and (+0.7, - 0.67), respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Interobserver reliability for EDV is only moderate, whereas for the PIV is substantial, allowing its use for clinical purposes in a high-risk population.
Borrell
Antoni
A
Institute of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Neonatology, Hospital Clinic, Maternitat Campus, University of Barcelona Medical School, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. aborrell@medicina.ub.es
Perez
Marimer
M
Figueras
Francesc
F
Meler
Eva
E
Gonce
Anna
A
Gratacos
Eduard
E
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005318:Fetal Heart / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008423:Maternal Age; D015588:Observer Variation; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal