title: Review: Feto-placental vascularization: a multifaceted approach.
abstract: Doppler Ultrasound allows the in vivo study of feto-placental hemodynamics. Doppler flow velocity waveforms (FVW's) obtained from the umbilical arteries reflect downstream blood flow impedance, thus giving indirect evidence of vascular villous tree characteristics. Pulsatility Index, which quantifies FVW's, decreases throughout normal pregnancy, indicating decreasing impedance and is often higher in cases of fetal growth restriction (FGR). Different approaches (morphometrical, morphological, mathematical, immunohistochemical and molecular) have contributed to elucidation of which anomalies of the vascular villous tree underlie Doppler findings. 3D ultrasound may be useful in the study of feto-placental perfusion. However, the unsolved question is why developmental villous tree anomalies occur. Crucial to the success of future research is definition of the population studied based on the uniform and correct definition of FGR.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy. tullia.todros@unito.it
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Todros
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Piccoli
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rolfo
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cardaropoli
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Guiot
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gaglioti
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Oberto
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vasario
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Caniggia
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000502:physiology*; D010920:Placenta / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011673:Pulsatile Flow / Q000502:physiology*; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler