SONOGRAPHIC EVALUATION OF INTERVILLOUS FLOW IN EARLY-PREGNANCY - USE OF ECHO-ENHANCEMENT AGENTS

The uteroplacental circulation of the cynomolgus monkey was examined i n early pregnancy using a high-resolution ultrasound scanner. Intraven ous injection of an echo-contrast agent, Albunex (sonicated albumin), was used to enhance the color Doppler images obtained. The flow of blo od into and out of the intervillous compartment was readily assessed a nd quantified using pulsed and color Doppler. Flow within the intracot yledonary space was pulsatile and indicative of a low-resistance syste m. Flow within the decidual veins was non-pulsatile. The use of echo-c ontrast agents may assist in the determination of intervillous flow in human pregnancy at a correspondingly early stage.