Doppler Velocimetry and its Applications in Pregnancy

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Doppler velocimetry has been extensively studied. It is a tool without a clearly defined clinical application in the field of obstetrics. Doppler velocimetry and the How velocity waveform is a much more complex parameter than might he inferred from (low velocity indices. Attention must be directed at the methodology, the process of measuring the waveform and its interpretation. Attention must be directed at the many environmental variables that impact on the flow velocity waveform and its indices. These include among others, the gestational age of the fetus, the fetal heart rate, the site of measurement and the activity level of the fetus. Other issues that remain unresolved include the determination of which structure yields the most information, i.e. the umbilical artery, the fetal descending aorta, or the uterine artery and the determination of which mathematical transformation or classification is most predictive of fetal outcome. Doppler velocimetry has been applied to many clinical situations in obstetrics which include the prediction and diagnosis of the small for gestational age fetus, preterm labor, hypertensive pregnancies and fetal assessment. While the data do not conclusively support a defined clinical role, Doppler velocimetry may have an adjunctive role in the clinical management of the identified small for gestational age fetus.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: