[Interobserver reproducibility of Doppler ultrasound measurements of the fetal ductus arteriosus]

Abstract

In a subgroup of 418 Doppler flow velocimetries of the fetal ductus arteriosus, which were performed to evaluate possible effects of low dose aspirin on fetal hemodynamics, an interobserver reproducibility study was carried out. 55 pulsed Doppler measurements of the fetal ductus arteriosus were performed within 24 hours by two different examinators. Pulsatility Index (PI), peak velocity (Vmax), mean velocity (Vmean) and enddiastolic velocity (Vmin) were obtained from the flow velocity profiles and correlation and variability coefficients were calculated. Peak velocity has been shown to be the most reproducible parameter with highest correlation and lowest variability.