COLOR DOPPLER IMAGING AND BLOOD-FLOW VELOCITY WAVE-FORM ANALYSIS OF SUBTROPHOBLASTIC VESSELS IN EARLY-PREGNANCY FAILURE

Objective: Doppler velocimetry of subtrophoblastic vessels was studied by color Doppler imaging in blighted ova and missed abortions to evaluate any recognizable differences in flow patterns. Methods: The study population included 45 blighted ova and 40 missed abortions. Color Doppler imaging was used to detect subtrophoblastic flow and to guide the sample volume of the spectral Doppler. Frequencies of detection of flow were compared and resistance indices were calculated. Results: Flow was detected in 69% of the cases in the blighted ova group and 35% in the missed abortion group (P < 0.005). The resistance indices were significantly lower in the blighted ova group, as compared with the missed abortion group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The results may indicate that color Doppler imaging can help in the diagnosis of the pathophysiology behind early pregnancy failure and assist in the prediction of outcome.