Flow velocity waveforms in the ductus venosus, umbilical vein and inferior vena cava in normal human fetuses at 12–15 weeks of gestation

The objective was to determine the normal Doppler flow velocity waveform patterns in the human fetal ductus venosus, inferior vena cava and umbilical vein correlated with fetal heart rate, and to examine their reproducibility and their inter-relationship at 12 to 15 weeks of gestation. Cross-sectional recordings of 45 normal pregnant women were collected for a data reference range transvaginally and transabdominally depending on fetal size and position. Maximum flow velocity waveforms were obtained from the ductus venosus, the intra-abdominal part of the umbilical vein and inferior vena cava. Time-averaged velocities were calculated in all three vessels together with peak systolic, peak diastolic and time-averaged velocities in the ductus venosus and inferior vena cava. Doppler recordings in 21 other patients displayed good reproducibility. Continuous forward flow in the umbilical vein was associated with pulsatile systolic and diastolic forward flow in the ductus venosus. Retrograde flow was present only in the inferior vena cava. Mean time-averaged velocity (SD) in the ductus venosus was 28.8 (6.1) cm/s, in the umbilical vein 9.7 (2.9) cm/s and in the inferior vena cava 10.9 (2.5) cm/s. No correlation could be established between waveform parameters and fetal heart rate. Combined transvaginal and transabdominal Doppler ultrasound allows reproducible blood flow velocity recordings at venous level in early pregnancy. Relatively high velocities were observed in the ductus venosus compared with the umbilical vein and inferior vena cava. Differences in flow velocities in the ductus venosus and inferior vena cava suggest that little or no mixing of blood occurs, a situation well described in sheep.