Placental vascular indices (VI, FI and VFI) in intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). A pooled analysis of the literature

Abstract

A significant DR for IUGR was demonstrated only in the third trimester, thus limiting the utility of vascular indices to predict IUGR. VI and VFI are more reliable and yield better DR and better performance in terms of homogeneity than FI and should be evaluated in the management of third trimester IUGR and prediction of outcome.

Comparison of Placental Three-Dimensional Power Doppler Vascular Indices and Placental Volume in Pregnancies with Small for Gestational Age Neonates

“…The results of this study demonstrated significantly lower placental FI and VFI values in the SGA group during the first and second trimesters. Data regarding changes in placental vascular indices in the first trimester of SGA/FGR pregnancies have been inconsistent [10,11]. Farina et al performed a systematic review to study the relationship between placental vascular indices and SGA/FGR pregnancies and concluded that placental vascular indices were feasible only during the third trimester [10].…”

“…Data regarding changes in placental vascular indices in the first trimester of SGA/FGR pregnancies have been inconsistent [10,11]. Farina et al performed a systematic review to study the relationship between placental vascular indices and SGA/FGR pregnancies and concluded that placental vascular indices were feasible only during the third trimester [10]. However, González-González et al recently reported significantly lower values of all vascular indices in FGR pregnancies during the first trimester [11], which is consistent with our results except for the VI.…”

“…The results of studies regarding changes in these placental vascular indices in the first trimester in SGA/FGR pregnancies have been inconsistent [10,11]. In addition, studies assessing placental volume in the first trimester of SGA/FGR pregnancies have also reported inconsistent results [12,13,14,15].…”

The Impact of Aspirin on Ultrasound Markers of Uteroplacental Flow in Low-Risk Pregnancy: Secondary Analysis of a Multicenter RCT

“…68 An advancing gestation, increased placental size and difficulty delineating the myometrial border from the placenta can lead to variation in placental volume and vascularity measurements using the VOCAL technique with means of vascular indices varying greatly in different studies. 69,70 This may be related to the depth of insonation of the Doppler signal which can be dependent on placental location, BMI, placental size, site of measurement within the placenta, and erythrocyte density; all of which can generate artifactual Doppler signals at greater depths leading to variability in measurement. 23,71 In addition, the footprint of the 3D probe in the second trimester limits the acquisition of acquiring all of the placenta in the volume acquisition when the ultrasound beam is swept in a fan-like shape.…”

Avaliação do volume e da vascularização renais ao ultrassom tridimensional em fetos com restrição de crescimento intrauterino

“…Desde os trabalhos de Pairleitner et al 41 , vários outros estudos foram publicados analisando o papel da ultrassonografia Power Doppler 3D em vascularização fetal e placentária 123,129,130 .…”