[Comparison of the clinical value of 2 frequently used indices of fetal blood flow analysis (pulsatility index PI and resistance index RI)].

249 blood-flow measurements were carried out with pulsed Doppler-ultrasound in the umbilical arteries and the descending aorta of 188 fetuses. The PI and the RI of the recorded flowpatterns were calculated. In a retrospective study we then calculated the validity of the prediction of a pathological fetal outcome, i.e. a SGA-fetus and/or perinatal morbidity, for both indices. The sensitivity of the PI is 63%, the specificity was 98%, the sensitivity of the RI was 40%, and the specificity 98%. Therefore the sensitivity of the PI is significantly higher than that of the RI (p less than 0.05). In the second, prospective part of the study these results could be verified by means of an equivalent number of measurements to the first group (n = 249) with 178 fetuses. All the jeopardized fetuses with IUGR and perinatal morbidity (n = 13) were detected by an increased PI, but even in this group the sensitivity of the RI was only 54%. The possible reasons for these results are discussed, taking into account the different characteristics of the two indices and the influence of the heart rate on both of them.