title: Doppler study of uterine hemodynamics in women with unexplained infertility.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate uterine artery blood flow using pulsed Doppler, and endometrial and subendometrial microvascularization using three-dimensional (3D) power Doppler, in women with unexplained infertility.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a prospective clinical trial at a university teaching hospital, 40 women with unexplained infertility were compared to 40 fertile parous controls. In the mid-luteal (peri-implantation) phase, the endometrial thickness and volume, uterine artery pulsatility index (PI) and resistance index (RI), endometrial and subendometrial 3D power Doppler vascularization index (VI), flow index (FI), and vascularization flow index (VFI), and serum estradiol and progesterone levels were measured in both groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The uterine artery PI (P = 0.003) and RI (P = 0.007) were significantly increased and the endometrial VI (P = 0.029), FI (P = 0.031), and VFI (P = 0.001) and subendometrial VI (P = 0.032), FI (P = 0.040), and VFI (P = 0.005) were significantly decreased in the unexplained infertility group. The endometrial thickness and volume and serum estradiol and progesterone levels, however, were not significantly different between the two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Peri-implantation endometrial perfusion is impaired in women with unexplained infertility: Doppler study of uterine hemodynamics should therefore be considered in infertility work-up.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt. Electronic address: dr_akmalelmazny@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Akmal
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: El-Mazny
authors.forename: Nermeen
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Abou-Salem
authors.forename: Hossam
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Elshenoufy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004717:Endometrium / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color / Q000379:methods; D055988:Uterine Artery / Q000502:physiology*; D014599:Uterus / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014655:Vascular Resistance
keywords: 3D ultrasonography; Doppler; Endometrial perfusion.