UMBILICAL ARTERY AND DUCTAL BLOOD-FLOW VELOCITIES IN PATIENTS TREATEDWITH ASPIRIN AND PREDNISONE FOR PRESENCE OF ANTICARDIOLIPIN ANTIBODY

Fifteen patients with previous pregnancy losses and positive plasma an ticardiolipin antibody (ACA) were treated with prednisone (15 mg/day) and aspirin (80 mg/day). We measured Doppler velocimetries of umbilica l artery and ductus arteriosus at intervals of 2 to 3 weeks starting f rom 20 weeks of gestation until delivery. Umbilical artery systolic/di astolic ratios (S/D) and maximum systolic velocities of ductus arterio sus did not differ from normal values. There were no poor outcomes in the treated group. ACA positive patients with previous poor pregnancy outcome when treated with prednisone and aspirin have umbilical artery and ductal flow velocities similar to those of the normal population.