Title: Prediction of early pregnancy failure by Uterine Artery Color Doppler
Authors: Dr Divya Yadav Sharma, Dr Anu Pathak, Dr Neha Agarwal
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v7i3.153
Abstract
Introduction
First Trimester of Pregnancy is Characterized by many important landmarks with regard to ultimate outcome of pregnancy. Concern about the possibility of spontaneous miscarriage is one of the most common reasons women seek evaluation during their first trimester. Between 11% and 20% of all clinically recognized pregnancies are lost before the 20th week of gestation. Ultrasonography is the best diagnostic method in detecting early pregnancy complications. Uterine vascular relaxation and the increase in uterine blood flow in early pregnancy appears to be important determinants of pregnancy outcome.
Alterations in the normal uterine perfusion pattern have been noted in pregnancies complicated by blighted ovum and missed abortion.
The vascular remodeling in the maternal‐fetal interface may reduce local arterial resistance and thereby increase uteroplacental blood flow. Impairment of this process is associated with pregnancy complications including spontaneous abortion and placental hematoma, intrauterine growth restriction1 .With the advent of transvaginal color Doppler spiral sonography, new insights into uteroplacental circulation during the first trimester have been obtained. The use of Doppler sonography to analyse blood flow in even terminal branches of the uteroplacental circulation encouraged investigators to try and predict early and late pregnancy complications related to abnormal placentation. 2
Transvaginal Color Doppler has enabled precise investigation of fetomaternal circulation in early pregnancy. Uterine artery Doppler velocimetry by itself or in combination with other biochemical markers seems to be an effective first-trimester screening tool for the ultimate outcome of a healthy pregnancy. Therefore, this study was undertaken to examine the change in blood flow impedance of the uterine artery during early pregnancy by highly sensitive Doppler indices.
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