Tubal artery blood flow in evaluation of tubal pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether the assessment of tubal blood flow can indicate the side of the total pregnancy.

METHODS

Using transvaginal color Doppler ultrasonography, we measured blood flow in the total arteries on both sides in 46 women with early ectopic pregnancy. We compared the resistance index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) values of the tubal artery flow on the tubal pregnancy side to the contralateral side.

RESULTS

The Resistance index (RI) and Pulsatility index (PI) values were lower at the tubal pregnancy side in 70% and 61%, respectively, when compared with the contralateral side. However, in the mean values of RI and PI the difference between the sides was not statistically significant. During the follow up in cases with spontaneous resolution between-side difference was often subjected to changes.

CONCLUSION

Assessment of tubal blood flow by using transvaginal color Doppler sonography to the evaluation of the side of tubal pregnancy has limited clinical value.