Uterine artery flow velocity waveform (FVW) type and subednometrial vascularity in recurrent pregnancy loss

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the subendometrial and uterine artery blood flow and pattern of the waveform of the uterine artery in cases of recurrent pregnancy loss compared with normal controls.

Subjects and methods: Fifty women with a history of two or more successive pregnancy losses were investigated by Doppler transvaginal ultrasound to assess the subendometrial blood flow resistance index (RI), type of Doppler waveform of the uterine artery, and uterine artery pulsatility index (PI) in the mid-luteal phase. Fifty normal women acted as controls.

Results: Subendometrial blood flow RI and uterine artery PI were higher in cases than controls. The majority of cases of recurrent pregnancy loss had a waveform pattern of A, or loss of diastolic flow, whereas the controls were mainly C wave.

Conclusions: Some sort of endometrial and subendometrial ischemia can be suggested in cases of recurrent pregnancy loss, waveform pattern of uterine artery changes may be used to monitor changes in vascularity of endometrium if vascular enhancers are given in such cases.

Keywords:

• Recurrent pregnancy loss
• subendometrial blood flow resistance index (RI)
• uterine artery pulsatility index (PI)
• uterine artery waveform type

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.