Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine, Vol 8, Issue 4 171-176, Copyright © 1989 by American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
Umbilical and uterine artery flow velocity waveforms. Effect of the sampling site on Doppler ratios
K. E. Mehalek, J. Rosenberg, G. S. Berkowitz, U. Chitkara and R. L. Berkowitz
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Science, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York 10029.
Pulsed Doppler duplex sonography was performed on 58 patients in order to
determine whether Doppler ratios of umbilical and uterine artery flow
velocity waveforms vary with the site at which measurements are taken along
their respective arterial beds. Umbilical artery ratios were significantly
higher at the fetal end of the cord when compared to ratios at the
placental cord insertion. In the maternal circulation, ratios from arcuate
artery waveforms were lower than those obtained from the uterine artery.
This site-dependent difference in ratios could be clinically important when
studying ratios from the umbilical artery. Accuracy of Doppler measurements
in the individual patient and in scientific investigations may be improved
if uniform measurement techniques are used.
