Utility of Microvascular-flow Imaging of Placenta in Normal and Fetal Growth Restricted Pregnancies.

BACKGROUND

Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is one of the commonest complication associated with pregnancies. Fetal biometry and conventional color Doppler parameters such as resistivity index have been used to diagnose FGR in pregnancies since decades. However, such Doppler parameters are indirect evidences of FGR. Microvascular (MV) flow is a new and upcoming doppler flow imaging technique and can be used to assess placental microvasculature. Vascular index (VI) is a quantitative parameter which can be derived from MV flow imaging. This study aims to use VI as a parameter to differentiate between FGR and non-FGR fetuses in pregnancies.

METHODS

Sixty two pregnant women with singleton pregnancies was conducted having gestational age between 11 and 40 weeks. 14 FGR pregnancies were studied. Imaging was performed on Samsung V7 machine with a curvilinear probe of frequency 1-7 MHz.

RESULTS

The study established that the mean placental VI values in FGR fetuses was significantly lower than non FGR fetuses at all placental locations namely upper, middle and lower parts measuring 31.10 +/- 4.25 v/s 45.01 +/- 7.69, 28.65 +/- 3.24 v/s 45.21 +/- 6.36 and 28.08 +/- 4.29 v/s 45.88 +/- 6.77 respectively.

CONCLUSION

The study establishes the utility of MV flow in distinguishing FGR and non-FGR fetuses using placental VI as a quantitative measure. A study on larger population would help in wider acceptance and application.