title: State of the art: non-invasive ultrasound assessment of the uteroplacental circulation.
abstract: Impaired trophoblastic invasion of the maternal spiral arteries is associated with increased risk for subsequent development of intrauterine growth restriction, preeclampsia, and placental abruption. A series of screening studies involving assessment of impedance to flow in the uterine arteries have examined the potential value of Doppler in identifying pregnancies at risk of the complications of impaired placentation. Currently we are able to characterize uteroplacental perfusion with quantitative and qualitative methodologies. This review will examine both methodologies and seek to highlight conclusive and inconclusive findings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Milan Bicocca, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy. gbriell.urban@unimib.it
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Urban
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vergani
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ghidini
authors.forename: Piero
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tortoli
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ricci
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Patrizio
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Paidas
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D021041:Placental Circulation; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011247:Pregnancy; D011264:Pregnancy Trimesters; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D014599:Uterus / Q000098:blood supply*