HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Bernstein, I. M. Articles by Badger, G. J. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Bernstein, I. M. Articles by Badger, G. J.

Uterine Artery Hemodynamic Adaptations Through the Menstrual Cycle Into Early Pregnancy

From the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Radiology, and Medical Biostatistics, University of Vermont College of Medicine and Fletcher Allen Health Care, Burlington, Vermont.

Address reprint requests to: Ira M. Bernstein, MD, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Burgess 217, FAHC, 111 Colchester Avenue, Burlington, VT 05401-1435; E-mail: ibernste{at}zoo.uvm.edu.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the time course of human uterine artery vascular adaptation through the menstrual cycle into early pregnancy.

METHODS: We prospectively measured the uterine artery pulsatility index, peak systolic velocity, and volumetric blood flow during the menstrual cycle and at 4, 6, and 12 weeks of pregnancy in women who conceived. Upper extremity radial artery hemodynamic changes were examined as a control vessel. Ten subjects conceived within 12 months of menstrual cycle studies. Analyses were performed using repeated measures analysis of variance with P < .05 accepted for significance.

RESULTS: In women who conceived, uterine artery peak systolic velocity demonstrated a significant increase during the period of observation, which began after cycle day 10 (0.36 x 0.02 meters per second) of the menstrual cycle and continued though 12 menstrual weeks (1.05 ± 0.10 meters per second, P < .001). Uterine artery pulsatility index decreased significantly during the observation window from 3.0 ± 0.2 in the follicular phase to 1.6 ± 0.2 at 12 menstrual weeks (P < .001). Blood flow in the uterine artery increased significantly from cycle day 10 (22.2 ± 1.8 mL per minute) to 12 menstrual weeks’ gestation (150.2 ± 40.3 mL per minute, P < .001). These patterns were significantly different from the patterns observed for the radial artery.

CONCLUSION: Uterine artery hemodynamic adaptation in early pregnancy follows a continuum established during the menstrual cycle. These adaptations result in decreased uterine artery impedance and increased blood flow. These changes differ from those observed in the upper extremity radial artery (control vessel) suggesting independence of regional pelvic and systemic hemodynamic adaptations.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				H. Tamura, I. Miwa, K. Taniguchi, R. Maekawa, H. Asada, T. Taketani, A. Matsuoka, Y. Yamagata, H. Ishikawa, and N. Sugino Different changes in resistance index between uterine artery and uterine radial artery during early pregnancy Hum. Reprod., February 1, 2008; 23(2): 285 - 289. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. J. Wilson, M. Lopez, M. Vargas, C. Julian, W. Tellez, A. Rodriguez, A. Bigham, J. F. Armaza, S. Niermeyer, M. Shriver, et al. Greater uterine artery blood flow during pregnancy in multigenerational (Andean) than shorter-term (European) high-altitude residents Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, September 1, 2007; 293(3): R1313 - R1324. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Zamudio, L. Postigo, N. P. Illsley, C. Rodriguez, G. Heredia, M. Brimacombe, L. Echalar, T. Torricos, W. Tellez, I. Maldonado, et al. Maternal oxygen delivery is not related to altitude- and ancestry-associated differences in human fetal growth J. Physiol., July 15, 2007; 582(2): 883 - 895. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Mu and S. L. Adamson Developmental changes in hemodynamics of uterine artery, utero- and umbilicoplacental, and vitelline circulations in mouse throughout gestation Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, September 1, 2006; 291(3): H1421 - H1428. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. Aardenburg, M. E. Spaanderman, D. A. Courtar, H. W. van Eijndhoven, P. W. de Leeuw, and L. L. Peeters A Subnormal Plasma Volume in Formerly Preeclamptic Women is Associated with a Low Venous Capacitance Reproductive Sciences, February 1, 2005; 12(2): 107 - 111. [Abstract] [PDF]

				D. P. Damron, I. M. Bernstein, R. E. Shapiro, and A. Schonberg Uterine Blood Flow Response to Alpha-Adrenergic Blockade in Nulligravid Women of Reproductive Age Reproductive Sciences, September 1, 2004; 11(6): 388 - 392. [Abstract] [PDF]

				R. P. Dickey and I. M. Bernstein Uterine Artery Hemodynamic Adaptations Through the Menstrual Cycle Into Early Pregnancy Obstet. Gynecol., August 1, 2002; 100(2): 379 - 380. [Full Text] [PDF]