Relationship between endometrial and subendometrial blood flow measured by three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasound and pregnancy after intrauterine insemination.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate whether endometrial and subendometrial blood flow parameters measured using three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasound (3D PD-US) can predict pregnancy after IUI.


METHODS
Prospective clinical study.


METHODS
Infertility center in a referral hospital.


METHODS
One hundred six women who underwent ovulation induction and IUI.


METHODS
A color Doppler ultrasound and a 3D PD-US examination were performed on the day of IUI.


METHODS
Pulsatility index (PI), resistance index (RI), and systolic/diastolic (S/D) ratio of uterine artery, and vascularization index (VI), flow index (FI), and vascularization flow index (VFI) of the endometrium as well as those of subendometrial region. These measurements were analyzed in relation to IUI outcome (pregnant vs. nonpregnant).


RESULTS
The pregnant group had higher endometrium VI, FI, and VFI scores than the nonpregnant group. In contrast, the subendometrial region VI, FI, and VFI scores did not differ between the groups, nor did the uterine artery PI, RI, and S/D. Pregnancies did not occur when endometrial blood flow had not been detected.


CONCLUSIONS
Three-dimensional PD-US was useful for evaluating endometrial and subendometrial neovascularization in IUI cycles. Endometrial blood flow parameters may be useful predictors for pregnancy.
Kim
Ari
A
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Fertility Center, CHA Gangnam Medical Center, CHA University, Seoul, South Korea.
Han
Ji Eun
JE
Yoon
Tae Ki
TK
Lyu
Sang Woo
SW
Seok
Hyun Ha
HH
Won
Hyung Jae
HJ
D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure; D004717:Endometrium / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D007315:Insemination, Artificial; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011673:Pulsatile Flow; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler / Q000379:methods*; D014655:Vascular Resistance