Doppler evaluation of the uterine, intraovarian, stromal and spiral arteries on the day of human chorionic gonadotrophin administration in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation

Abstract

The aim of this prospective study was to investigate the ability of transvaginal power Doppler ultrasonography to assess the relationship between the pulsatility indices (PI) of uterine, spiral and ovarian arteries and endometrial thickness on the day of, but just before, human chorionic gonadotrophin administration and the relationship to pregnancy outcome. Fifty-seven patients were recruited to the study. The mean PI values of the uterine arteries demonstrate significant differences between the women who conceived and those who did not. The mean PI values of the intraovarian flow also demonstrated significant differences between the left and right PI values and between the PI of the women who conceived and those who did not. Mean PI values of the spiral arteries and endometrial thickness did not demonstrate any significant difference between the women who conceived and those who did not. The parameters used currently in colour Doppler assessment of ovarian stromal, uterine and spiral artery perfusion are clinically helpful in discriminating prospectively which patients will and will not become pregnant in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, insemination programme.