Interobserver reproducibility of Doppler flow velocimetry in the fetal ductus arteriosus

In a subgroup of 418 Doppler flow velocimetries of the fetal ductus arterio sus, which were performed to evaluate possible effects of low dose aspirin on fetal hemodynamics, an interobserver reproducibility study was carried o ut. 55 pulsed Doppler measurements of the fetal ductus arteriosus were perf ormed within 24 hours by two different examinators. Pulsatility Index (PI), peak velocity (V-max), mean velocity (V-mean) and enddiastolic velocity (V -min) were obtained from the flow velocity profiles and correlation and var iability coefficients were calculated. Peak velocity has been shown to be t he most reproducible parameter with highest correlation and lowest variabil ity.