Diagnostic techniques: Blood flow changes in uterine and ovarian vasculature, and predictive value of transvaginal pulsed colour Doppler ultrasonography in an in-vitro fertilization programme

Abstract

The role of transvaginal pulsed colour Doppler ultrasound in the prediction of the outcome of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) therapy was assessed longitudinally in 30 patients during stimulated cycles. The pulsatility index (PI) of the uterine arteries did not change significantly until the mid-luteal phase. Within 6 days after the beginning of stimulation the maximum peak systolic velocity of the uterine blood flow had increased significantly from 27.6 +/- 8.9 to 36 +/- 12.8 cm/s. No difference was found in uterine PI between pregnant and non-pregnant women. The PI of intra-ovarian flow was also similar in both groups. However, there was an insignificant increase in uterine receptivity when the PI of the uterine artery was between 2.0 and 2.99 on the day of embryo transfer. Nevertheless, the appraisal of the prognostic outcome of the treatment could not be made with Doppler.

Colour Doppler imaging and polycystic ovary syndrome

“…A rise in maximum velocity and an increase in the amount of colour around the dominant follicle during the periovulatory period without a change in PI has been demonstrated previously (Collins et al, 1991;Campbell et al, 1993). Similar changes have been seen in the ovarian stroma in longitudinal studies in women undergoing in-vitro fertilization (Tekay et al, 1995). These observations are consistent with both angiogenesis and increased intra-ovarian perfusion and suggest that peak systolic blood flow velocity is a better parameter for studying this phenomenon than impedance indices.…”

Endometrial and Subendometrial Vascularity by Three-Dimensional (3D) Power Doppler and Its Correlation with Pregnancy Outcome in Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) Cycles

“…In a study of FET and IVF-ET groups by Tekay et al [14], it was seen that the Doppler velocimetry measurements between conception and non-conception cycles were not significantly different. They concluded that impaired uterine blood flow negatively affects implantation, while an adequate uterine blood may not necessarily result in pregnancy.…”

Polycystic ovarian syndrome: assessment with color Doppler angiography and three-dimensional ultrasonography.

“…They have been used to study uterine and ovarian blood flow changes in normal cycles, 7-23 during ovulation induction, 24 and after IVF-ET attempts. 8,16,19,21,23,[25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40] …”