FETAL AND UTEROPLACENTAL FLOW VELOCITY WAVE-FORMS IN ABRUPTIO-PLACENTAE - REPORT OF 2 CASES

This paper reports two cases of abruptio placentae assessed using pulsed Doppler at 29 and 30 weeks of gestation. Transvaginal pulsed Doppler showed abnormal uterine artery FVWs in both cases. One fetus with normal umbilical and normal middle cerebral artery FVWs was not acidotic and only mildly hypoxic, whereas the other fetus with normal umbilical and abnormal middle cerebral artery FVWs was severely acidotic and hypoxic at birth. It is suggested that Doppler assessment of fetal blood distribution is of great value for the rapid diagnosis of fetal asphyxia, and that uteroplacental FVWs provide reliable information on which to base the diagnosis of abruptio placentae.