Review Article
The Importance of Venous Doppler Velocimetry for Evaluation of Intrauterine Growth Restriction
Apostolos Kaponis MD, PhD,
Takashi Harada MD,
George Makrydimas MD,
Tomoiki Kiyama MD,
Kazuya Arata MD,
George Adonakis MD,
Vasilis Tsapanos MD,
Tomio Iwabe MD,
Theodoros Stefos MD,
George Decavalas MD,
Tasuku Harada MD, PhD, DMSci,
Corresponding Author
Apostolos Kaponis MD, PhD
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Patra University School of Medicine, Patra, Greece
Address correspondence to Apostolos Kaponis, MD, PhD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tottori University Faculty of Medicine, 36-1 Nishimachi, Yonago 683-8504, Japan.Search for more papers by this authorTakashi Harada MD
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tottori University Faculty of Medicine, Yonago, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorGeorge Makrydimas MD
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ioannina University School of Medicine, Ioannina, Greece
Search for more papers by this authorTomoiki Kiyama MD
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tottori University Faculty of Medicine, Yonago, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorKazuya Arata MD
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tottori University Faculty of Medicine, Yonago, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorGeorge Adonakis MD
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Patra University School of Medicine, Patra, Greece
Search for more papers by this authorVasilis Tsapanos MD
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Patra University School of Medicine, Patra, Greece
Search for more papers by this authorTomio Iwabe MD
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tottori University Faculty of Medicine, Yonago, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorTheodoros Stefos MD
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ioannina University School of Medicine, Ioannina, Greece
Search for more papers by this authorGeorge Decavalas MD
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Patra University School of Medicine, Patra, Greece
Search for more papers by this authorTasuku Harada MD, PhD, DMSci
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tottori University Faculty of Medicine, Yonago, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorApostolos Kaponis MD, PhD,
Takashi Harada MD,
George Makrydimas MD,
Tomoiki Kiyama MD,
Kazuya Arata MD,
George Adonakis MD,
Vasilis Tsapanos MD,
Tomio Iwabe MD,
Theodoros Stefos MD,
George Decavalas MD,
Tasuku Harada MD, PhD, DMSci,
Corresponding Author
Apostolos Kaponis MD, PhD
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Patra University School of Medicine, Patra, Greece
Address correspondence to Apostolos Kaponis, MD, PhD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tottori University Faculty of Medicine, 36-1 Nishimachi, Yonago 683-8504, Japan.Search for more papers by this authorTakashi Harada MD
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tottori University Faculty of Medicine, Yonago, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorGeorge Makrydimas MD
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ioannina University School of Medicine, Ioannina, Greece
Search for more papers by this authorTomoiki Kiyama MD
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tottori University Faculty of Medicine, Yonago, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorKazuya Arata MD
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tottori University Faculty of Medicine, Yonago, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorGeorge Adonakis MD
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Patra University School of Medicine, Patra, Greece
Search for more papers by this authorVasilis Tsapanos MD
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Patra University School of Medicine, Patra, Greece
Search for more papers by this authorTomio Iwabe MD
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tottori University Faculty of Medicine, Yonago, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorTheodoros Stefos MD
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ioannina University School of Medicine, Ioannina, Greece
Search for more papers by this authorGeorge Decavalas MD
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Patra University School of Medicine, Patra, Greece
Search for more papers by this authorTasuku Harada MD, PhD, DMSci
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tottori University Faculty of Medicine, Yonago, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
The management of growth-restricted fetuses requires accurate diagnosis to optimize the timing of delivery. Doppler velocimetry is the only noninvasive method for assessing the fetoplacental hemodynamic status. This review will give a critical overview of the current knowledge on fetal venous blood flow in pregnancies complicated by in-trauterine growth-restricted fetuses. Adaptation of the circulation in intrauterine growth-restricted fetuses is described. Normal and abnormal venous Doppler waveforms are presented. Correlations of abnormal waveforms with the presence of acidemia and perinatal outcomes are emphasized. Limitations of venous Doppler velocimetry for optimizing the time for delivery and the perinatal outcome are also presented.
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