Improving our knowledge in twins: The role of ductus venosus in the first trimester

• Type: Another Publication in an International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2013

Authors

matias, a (Author) FMUP; Montenegro, N (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Donald School Journal of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology

Vol. 7

Pages: 409-414

ISSN: 0973-614X

Publisher: Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) Ltd

Indexing

Scopus - 0 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-008-K1F

DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10009-1311

Abstract (EN): Ductus venosus (DV) is a tiny vessel with a central role in fetal circulation both in singletons and multiples. In the present review we detail the contribution of DV evaluation in twin pregnancies in the first trimeter of pregnancy. The higher prevalence of abnormal A-wave in fetuses with abnormal karyotype and/or cardiac defects made DV evaluation a useful marker for the screening of chromosomal abnormalities and fetal cardiac anomalies. In dichorionic (DC) pregnancies, DV blood flow assessment reproduces the role of NT in the screening for aneuploidies, just as in singleton pregnancies. In monochorionic (MC) twin pregnancies, the Doppler assessment of DV blood flow improves the detection of those at higher risk of developing twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome or growth discrepancy later in pregnancy. As for singletons, DV should be systematically evaluated in all first trimester scans for a more performant screening in multiples.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific