Analysis of placenta vascularization in patients with uterine altered artery Doppler flow velocity exams.
BACKGROUND
One of the frequent questions in obstetric practice is to determine placental vascular changes that may account for abnormal Doppler flow velocity alterations in maternal uterine vessels from women and fetuses without pregnancy pathology.


METHODS
A retrospective morphometric study was realized using 27 placentas from patients submitted for Doppler flow velocity exam during pregnancy. The placentas were morphologically examined using hematoxylin-eosin staining. Measurements of villi were made with the use of a video camera coupled to a common light microscope and a computer with automatic image analyzing software.


RESULTS
Of the 27 placentas, 13 (48%) were of patients showing unaltered Doppler and 14 (52%) showing altered Doppler. The number of stem villi vessels was significantly larger in the placentas of patients with Doppler exam alterations (P = 0.003). This group also presented greater stem villi vessel thickness, although without significant difference. The number of intermediary and terminal villi vessels was greater in the placentas of patients with altered Doppler exams (P < 0.001), and a greater terminal villi area was observed in these cases (P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The morphological proof that uterine artery Doppler flow velocity exam alterations are associated with placental vascular alterations demonstrates the importance of this exam during prenatal care, even in the absence of maternal-fetal alterations.
Gilio
Daniel Bruno
DB
Triângulo Mineiro Federal University, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Miranda Corrêa
Rosana Rosa
RR
Souza de Oliveira Guimarães
Camila
C
Peres
Luiz Cesar
LC
Marques Salge
Ana Karina
AK
Cavellani
Camila Lourencini
CL
de Paula Antunes Teixeira
Vicente
V
Costa da Cunha Castro
Eumenia
E
D000328:Adult; D001158:Arteries / Q000502:physiology; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017078:Laser-Doppler Flowmetry; D010920:Placenta / Q000098:blood supply*; D011247:Pregnancy; D014599:Uterus / Q000098:blood supply*; D014655:Vascular Resistance