Doppler Ultrasound Studies on Fetal Venous Flow in Growth-Restricted Fetuses and Pregnancy Induced Hypertension

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the changes of venous blood flow in ductus venosus(DV) and umbilical vein using ultrasound as a noninvasive means in growth-restricted fetuses(GRF) and pregnancy induced hypertension.Materials and Methods: Color Doppler flow ultrasound was used to examine 76 GRFs and 118 fetuses at 24-40 week gestation in normal singleton pregnancy as controls.Peak flow velocity during ventricular systole(S),peak velocity during ventricular diastole(D),lowest velocity during atrial contraction(A) and mean velocity(Vmean) during atrial phase of the cardiac cycle were measured at DV inlet,and S/A,S/D,S-A/S,S-A/D and(S-A)/ Vmean ratioes were calculated.The blood flow velocity and the inner diameter of the umbilical vein were also assessed over the intrahepatic part of the UV.Results: In growth-restricted fetuses,A-wave,S/A and S-A/D ratio were lower than that of controls(P0.05).Conclusion: The ductus venosus peak systolic velocity in growth-restricted fetuses and pregnancy induced hypertension was within normal limits,but the velocity during atrial contraction decreased,the pulsatility S/A ratio and(S-A)/D ratio increased.