FETAL-OUTCOME WITH REDUCED FLOW VELOCITY IN THE FETAL DUCTUS VENOSUS DURING ATRIAL CONTRACTION

Objective: To document the fetal outcome in cases with patholgic Doppl er findings in the fetal ductus venosus. Methods: The outcome of 12 fe tuses with reduced velocities in the ductus venosus during atrial cont raction was analyzed retrospectively and compared with that of a group of 57 fetuses with normal flow velocities in the umbilical artery and in the fetal ductus venosus. Results: The perinatal mortality was hig her in the group with pathologic Doppler findings. There was no signif icant difference of pH (7.20 vs. 7.24) and Apgar scores (7.57 vs. 8.36 ) of survivors between the two groups. All 12 fetuses showed increased retrograde velocities in the inferior vena cava. Seven fetuses showed umbilical vein pulsations. Conclusions: The diagnosis of altered velo cities in the ductus venosus may influence prenatal decisions. Therefo re Doppler examinations of the fetal ductus venosus should be performe d in high-risk pregnancies.