Doppler time velocity waveform studies of the uterine artery and uterus

Abstract

This study describes a reliable and reproducible method of obtaining Doppler frequency shift waveforms from the uterine artery based on observations in 26 non-pregnant women. The waveforms werc detected easily but direct display of the vessel was inconsistent. The values of the pulsatility index calculated from the waveforms had a mean of 3.25 (SD 0-83). The standard error of the mean was 0.16 and based on this, the 95% reference range was 1.21 to 5.29. The stage of the menstrual cycle did not affect the pulsatility index nor was there any significant difference between subjects who were nulliparous and those who had had previous pregnancies. These results show that Doppler ultrasound can be applied to thc non-pregnant uterus and the data presented may be used as a baseline for the study of uterinc pathology.

Doppler assessment of the uterine circulation and the clinical behaviour of gestational trophoblastic tumours requiring chemotherapy

“…A previous study using Doppler ultrasound has investigated the uterine circulation in normal non-pregnant women and the 95% lower confidence interval for the pulsatility index of the uterine artery was 1.21 (Long et al, 1989). The pulsatility indexes of patients with invasive mole or choriocarcinoma in the present study ranged from values expected at the lower end for non-pregnant women to those throughout the early stages of pregnancy (Long et al, 1990b).…”

“…The ultrasound probe was then removed from the abdomen and the waveform was relocated after a time interval of at least 5 min and assessed. The coefficient of variation was found to be 8.8% (Long et al, 1989).…”

“…Myometrial Doppler shift signals are limited in the nonpregnant uterus (Long et al, 1989) but over 80% of the study group had myometrial blood flow detected. The majority of these cases had a pulsatility index of greater than 1.1 and did not relate to the clinical course of the tumour.…”

“…The frequency spectra from the uterine arteries can be detected by scanning transversely at a level just above and adjacent to the supravaginal portion of the cervix (Long et al, 1989). This is the point where the uterine artery ascends the lateral borders of the uterus after its course in the base of the broad ligament (Figure 1).…”

Ultrasonic Doppler Flow Studies of the Uterine Arteries in Women with Cervix Cancer

“…He determined a mean PI of 2.81 ± 0.93 (range 1.5 to 5.3). Long et al [8] calculated a mean PI of 3.25 ± 0.83 ranging from 1.67 ± 5.23. Moreover, his measurements yielded no significant difference between the right and left uterine artery in healthy controls (mean PI left 3.01 ± 0.65, mean PI right 3.02 ± 0.71).…”