title: Fetal Doppler: umbilical artery, middle cerebral artery, and venous system.
abstract: One of the most important applications of Doppler ultrasonography in obstetrics is the detection of fetal anemia in pregnancies complicated by either red-cell alloimmunization or by other causes of fetal anemia. Doppler of the umbilical artery also has prognostic value in pregnancies affected by twin-twin transfusion syndrome undergoing in-utero intervention. Another potential major application is the use of Doppler ultrasound in the management of intrauterine-growth-restricted fetuses. At the present time, there is no single test that appears superior to the other available tests for timing the delivery of the growth-restricted fetus. Therefore, the decision to deliver a fetus, especially at <32 weeks, remains mostly based on empirical management. Doppler may provide a more reliable and systematic basis for timing these deliveries. This review emphasizes the three following concepts: (a) normal and abnormal Doppler of the umbilical artery, middle cerebral artery, mitral and tricuspid valves, umbilical vein, and ductus venosus; (b) some clinical applications of Doppler sonography in obstetrics; and (c) potential future research of Doppler in obstetrics.
authors.affiliation: Tennessee Maternal Fetal Medicine Institute, Memphis, TN 38103-2807, USA. gmari@utmen.edu
authors.forename: Giancarlo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mari
authors.forename: Farhan
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hanif
mesh_terms: D000740:Anemia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005330:Fetofetal Transfusion / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005333:Fetus / Q000098:blood supply*; D006351:Heart Valves / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D020768:Middle Cerebral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010927:Placental Insufficiency / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011247:Pregnancy; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D014469:Umbilical Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014471:Umbilical Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*