Reproducibility of ductus venosus Doppler flow measurements at 11–14 weeks of gestation

Abstract

Objectives To assess the intra-and interobserver repeatabilities of fetal ductus venosus Doppler measurements at 11-14 weeks of gestation.Design Flow velocity waveforms were recorded transabdominally. Intraobserver repeatability was studied in 22 fetuses in whom four repeated measurements were performed by the same observer. Interobserver repeatability was assessed in 54 fetuses in each of whom two observers performed two repeated measurements. The pulsatility index for veins (PIV), peak velocity during ventricular systole (S wave), peak velocity during atrial contraction (A wave) and time-averaged maximum velocity (TAMV) were recorded. Reproducibility of the Doppler measurements was analyzed by calculating repeatability coefficient, coefficient of variation (CV), intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), mean differences and their limits of agreement. Cohen's k-coefficient was used for categorical data.Results Intraobserver repeatability was good with a CV of 10%,13%, 22% and 13% and an ICC of 0.85, 0.94, 0.94 and 0.95, respectively, for PIV, S wave, A wave and TAMV. Interobserver repeatability was also good, and no bias between the observers was detected. A CV of 8.8%,14%, 27% and 15% and an ICC of 0.86, 0.84, 0.87 and 0.84, respectively, for PIV, S wave, A wave

Normal Reference Ranges of Ductus Venosus Doppler Indices in the Period from 14 to 40 Weeks’ Gestation

“…This is consistent with those reported in previous studies [17]. We have found higher variations in measurement in early gestation compared to late pregnancy; this is consistent with what was observed by Mavrides et al [20] and Prefumo et al [21], who showed that DV Doppler assessment during early pregnancy seems to have a reduced reproducibility.…”

Reference values for ductus venosus Doppler flow measurements at 10–14 weeks of gestation

“…The mean PIV ranged from 1.07 at a CRL of 38 mm to 1.00 at a CRL of 88 mm, with no statistically significant correlation with CRL values (Figure 1; Pearson's r = −0.093; P = 0. 19). An increase in mean blood flow velocity with CRL was noted for the S-wave (Figure 2…”

Assessment of ductus venosus flow during the first and early second trimesters: what can we expect?

“…In this issue of the Journal, two papers address the first question 3,4 . One group 3 reports better repeatability than the other and they seem to be satisfied with their good intra-and interobserver repeatability, whereas the other group 4 reports only a good intraobserver repeatability for the measurement of the pulsatility index, but not for velocity measurements, and unsatisfactory results for the interobserver reproducibility.…”