Reference ranges of Doppler parameters of foetal pulmonary artery segments between 19 and 39 weeks of gestation.
OBJECTIVE
To determine reference ranges of Doppler parameters of foetal pulmonary artery segments.


METHODS
A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate 150 healthy singleton pregnancies between 19 and 39 weeks of gestation. The proximal, middle and distal segments of the foetal pulmonary artery were assessed. The following Doppler parameters were evaluated: pulsatility index (PI) and peak systolic velocity (PSV). The mean, standard deviation (SD) and maximum and minimum values were determined for each Doppler parameter. Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) was used to assess the correlation between the foetal pulmonary artery segments. Polynomial regression was performed, and adjustments were made using the coefficient of determination (R(2)).


RESULTS
The mean PI values (mean ± SD) in the proximal, middle and distal arterial segments were 2.99 ± 0.61, 2.25 ± 0.96 and 1.31 ± 0.58, respectively. The mean PSVs in the proximal, middle and distal segments were 50.68 ± 16.63, 24.396 ± 11.86 and 12.08 ± 3.66 cm/s, respectively. Significant differences were observed between the PI and PSV values from the different segments (p < 0.0001). A correlation between each Doppler parameter and gestational age was observed, and it was better represented using linear equations.


CONCLUSIONS
We successfully determined the reference ranges for Doppler parameters of foetal pulmonary artery segments between 19 and 39 weeks of gestation.
a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (DGO-FMRP-USP) , Ribeirão Preto - SP , Brazil .
Helmer
H
Herren
b Department of Obstetrics , Paulista School of Medicine - Federal University of São Paulo (EPM-UNIFESP) , São Paulo - SP , Brazil , and.
Edward
E
Araujo Júnior
a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (DGO-FMRP-USP) , Ribeirão Preto - SP , Brazil .
Wellington P
WP
Martins
a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (DGO-FMRP-USP) , Ribeirão Preto - SP , Brazil .
Ricardo Carvalho
RC
Cavalli
a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (DGO-FMRP-USP) , Ribeirão Preto - SP , Brazil .
Alessandra Cristina
AC
Marcolin
c Ultrasound Services and Department of Perinatal Medicine , Royal Women's Hospital and Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne , Melbourne , Victoria , Australia.
Fabricio
F
Da Silva Costa
a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (DGO-FMRP-USP) , Ribeirão Preto - SP , Brazil .
Silvana Maria
SM
Quintana
a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (DGO-FMRP-USP) , Ribeirão Preto - SP , Brazil .
Geraldo
G
Duarte
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012016:Reference Values; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D055815:Young Adult
Doppler; foetus; pulmonary artery; reference ranges