Assessment of uterine circulation in ectopic pregnancy by transvaginal color Doppler.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of our study was to determine the effect of abnormal implantation on uterine circulation and to evaluate whether the assessment of uterinal blood flow can provide additional information for the diagnosis of tubal pregnancies.

METHODS

Forty-nine patients with ectopic pregnancy were examined by transvaginal color Doppler immediately before surgery. Resistance and pulsatility indices of blood flow in the uterine and tubal arteries were measured.

RESULTS

The blood flow parameters of the uterine and tubal arteries did not change with gestational age. There was a significant increase in blood flow on the side with the tubal gestation. Differences between sides were higher in the tubal arteries than in the main uterine arteries and showed no dependence on gestational age.

CONCLUSION

The abnormal implantation and tubal trophoblast invasion in ectopic pregnancy (EP) can cause more marked blood flow changes in the adjacent supplying vessels than in the main uterine arteries.