UMBILICAL ARTERY DOPPLER VELOCIMETRY - CLINICAL UTILITY IN HIGH-RISK PREGNANCIES

An abnormal result of an umbilical artery Doppler study reflects the p resence of placental vascular pathologic mechanisms and identifies pre gnancies at increased risk for perinatal mortality. Recent reviews of the clinical utility of umbilical artery Doppler study have concluded that it should not be routinely used as a screening modality for the g eneral obstetric population and have suggested that further research i s required. However, metaanalysis of published peer-reviewed and rando mized controlled trials indicates that its use in high-risk pregnancie s is associated with a significant decrease in perinatal mortality wit hout an increase in the rate of inappropriate obstetric intervention. This clinical opinion serves to underscore the relevance of umbilical artery Doppler velocimetry to clinical practice and to suggest that an abnormal result of an umbilical artery Doppler study should be added to the current list of indications for intensive fetal surveillance.