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First- and Second-Trimester Doppler Velocimetry of the Uteroplacental Circulation

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Doppler Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology

Abstract

Pre-eclampsia is a major contributor of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Screening for pre-eclampsia and fetal growth restriction (FGR) allows for early prophylaxis with aspirin, which helps in the reduction of pre-eclampsia and its complications. Screening traditionally involves focusing on maternal risk factors. However, prescribing prophylactic aspirin to women based on maternal risk factors only identifies around 40% of preterm pre-eclampsia cases, with a 10% rate for false positives. Doppler screening of the uteroplacental circulation is a useful test that can be included in screening for pre-eclampsia and fetal growth restriction. Multiple studies have looked at a range of tests that can be carried out in combination as a screening programme. These include uterine artery Doppler and multiple serum markers in addition to maternal risk factors. Most of these potential screening programmes are far more superior than the traditional screening methods.

Pre-term pre-eclampsia and term pre-eclampsia have different pathophysiologies. Preterm pre-eclampsia has a higher maternal and fetal complication than does term pre-eclampsia. The risk of preterm pre-eclampsia can be halved by a prophylactic prescription of low-dose aspirin before 16 weeks’ gestation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fetal Medicine Unit, St. George’s Hospital, and St. George’s University of London, London, UK

    Victoria Mumford & Asma Khalil

  2. Vascular Biology Research Centre, Molecular and Clinical Sciences Research Institute, St George’s University of London, London, UK

    Victoria Mumford & Asma Khalil

Authors
  1. Victoria Mumford
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  2. Asma Khalil
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Correspondence to Asma Khalil .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Missouri–Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, USA

    Dev Maulik

  2. Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK

    Christoph C. Lees

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Mumford, V., Khalil, A. (2023). First- and Second-Trimester Doppler Velocimetry of the Uteroplacental Circulation. In: Maulik, D., Lees, C.C. (eds) Doppler Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-06189-9_19

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-06189-9_19

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-031-06188-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-031-06189-9

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