A COMPARISON OF VELOCITY WAVE-FORMS OF THE UTERINE ARTERY OBTAINED BYPULSED DOPPLER AND A COMPUTERIZED CONTINUOUS-WAVE DOPPLER IN NONPREGNANT PATIENTS

Objective: The study was undertaken to assess whether impedance to blo od flow in the uterine arteries can be measured effectively by continu ous wave (CW) Doppler compared with pulsed Doppler (PD). Methods: In a prospective double blind study, the resistance index (RI) was measure d transvaginally in the uterine artery of 31 non-pregnant women in the first week post-menstruation, 30 min apart, by two different observer s with two different instruments (PD and CW). The difference between t he measurements was calculated and the waveforms compared. Results: Th ere was no statistical difference in the mean RI values measured in bo th techniques, The waveforms recorded by the two instruments were iden tical. Conclusions: The uterine artery can be identified and the imped ance to blood flow can be effectively measured in non-pregnant patient s by CW Doppler.