Uteroplacental blood flow was measured with a computer-linked gamma camera after intravenous injection of 1 mCi indium-113m. Results of the measurements from 32 pre-eclamptic pregnancies and 37 normal controls are compared. The uteroplacental blood flow was measured as an index calculated from the rise time and maximum activity of the isotope accumulation curve. The uteroplacental blood flow was reduced with 50% in pre-eclampsia. In severe pre-eclampsia it was more compromised than in mild pre-eclampsia. A diminished uteroplacental blood flow was found in pre-eclampsia even in the absence of intrauterine growth retardation. The maternal placental circulation in the supine position was reduced with one third compared to that in the left lateral recumbent position.

Uteroplacental blood flow was studied with a noninvasive method using indium-113m and a computer-linked gammacamera. The blood flow was determined from the ratio of the maximum and the rise time of the isotope accumulation curve of the placenta. Eight pregnancies with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) were compared with 11 normal pregnancies. In the IUGR group the mean placental blood flow was only 1/4 of corresponding mean values of the mormal group. The difference was highly significant (p < 0.01).

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