Maternal uterine artery Doppler studies at high altitude and sea level

Objective To determine uterine artery impedance using Doppler in the second and third trimesters at sea level and at high altitude. Methods Uterine artery resistance and pulsatility indices (RI and PI, respectively) were obtained by Doppler velocimetry from 242 women in Cerro de Pasco (4300 m altitu...

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Published in:Ultrasound in obstetrics & gynecology 2001-12, Vol.18 (6), p.578-582
Main Authors: Krampl, E. R., Espinoza‐Dorado, J., Lees, C. C., Moscoso, G., Bland, J. M., Campbell, S.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Altitude
Biological and medical sciences
Doppler
Female
Gestational Age
Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics
High altitude
Humans
Impedance
Management. Prenatal diagnosis
Medical sciences
Placental Circulation
Pregnancy
Pregnancy. Fetus. Placenta
Pulsatile Flow
Ultrasonography, Doppler
Ultrasonography, Prenatal
Ultrasound
Uterine artery
Uterus - blood supply
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Summary:Objective To determine uterine artery impedance using Doppler in the second and third trimesters at sea level and at high altitude. Methods Uterine artery resistance and pulsatility indices (RI and PI, respectively) were obtained by Doppler velocimetry from 242 women in Cerro de Pasco (4300 m altitude) and 200 women in Lima (sea level), all with normal singleton pregnancies between 14 and 40 weeks of gestation. Impedance indices at high altitude and sea level were compared using fractional polynomial regression analysis. Results Impedance to uterine artery blood flow was lower at high altitude than at sea level (for PI ratio Lima/Cerro de Pasco = 1.06; P = 0.011). If gestation bands were compared, the difference was significant up to 25 weeks. Conclusion At high altitude, pregnancy is associated with lower uteroplacental impedance than at sea level. This may reflect a compensatory mechanism of uteroplacental development to lower oxygen tension associated with altitude.Copyright © 2001 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
ISSN:0960-7692
1469-0705
DOI:10.1046/j.0960-7692.2001.00579.x