Transvaginal color Doppler assessment of the uteroplacental circulation in early pregnancy

Obstet Gynecol. 1991 Mar;77(3):365-9.

Abstract

Transvaginal color Doppler was used to investigate the uteroplacental circulation of 45 patients with normal intrauterine pregnancies at 4-18 weeks' gestation. The main uterine artery and the radial and spiral arteries were demonstrated, and characteristic flow velocity waveforms were obtained in more than 90% of cases. The indices of impedance to flow decreased with gestation and there was a progressive fall in these indices from the uterine artery, through the radial, to the spiral artery. Blood velocity in the uterine artery increased exponentially with gestation.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Arteries
  • Blood Flow Velocity
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Placenta / blood supply*
  • Placenta / diagnostic imaging*
  • Pregnancy / physiology*
  • Pregnancy Trimester, First
  • Pregnancy Trimester, Second
  • Regional Blood Flow
  • Ultrasonography, Prenatal / methods*
  • Uterus / blood supply*
  • Uterus / diagnostic imaging*