Placental findings in fetuses with absent or reversed end-diastolic flow in the umbilical artery (ARED flow): A reappraisal

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 1997

Authors

Montenegro N (Author) FMUP; Laurini, R (Author) Other; Brandao, O (Author) Other; Nogueira, R (Author) Other; matias, a (Author) FMUP; Santos, F (Author) Other; Barros H (Author) FMUP

Journal

Title: Journal of Maternal-Fetal Investigation

Vol. 7

Pages: 175-179

ISSN: 0939-6322

Publisher: Springer

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 9 Citations

Scopus - 10 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-001-ASW

Abstract (EN): Objective: To make the reappraisal of the specific placental changes associated with absent or reversed end-diastolic flow (ARED flow) in order to clarify the pathophysiological background of such high risk pregnancies. Methods: In a total of 42 high risk pregnancies in the same gestational age range, a prospective evaluation of 28 cases of ARED (20 cases of absent (AED) and 8 cases of reversed (RED)) and 14 cases of present umbilical end-diastolic flow used as a control group was performed. All the placentas were referred for pathological examination using a previously designed protocol, Results: Correlation between morphological and Doppler flow findings was significant for infarction and massive perivillous fibrin deposition versus ARED flow and intrauterine growth retardation, There was a statistically significant difference in placental and fetal weights between the ARED and control groups. Fetal, neonatal, and postneonatal deaths occurred in 15 cases of the ARED group and in 1 case of the control group. Conclusions: ARED flow is clearly associated with prominent placental histological lesions, namely infarction and massive perivillous fibrin deposition. Such alterations can be related to a high downstream vascular impedance or resistance, intrauterine growth retardation, and hypoxia.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 5