Automatic and manual Doppler velocimetry measurements of the uterine artery in pregnant ewes.

We aimed to compare measurements of speed and blood flow parameters obtained manually and automatically in the uterine arteries of pregnant ewes. Eighteen Santa Inês ewes, confirmed to be pregnant, were followed every 2 weeks until parturition. The systolic peak (PS), end diastolic velocity (ED), maximum and average speed in the cardiac cycle (TAMAX and TAMEAN, respectively), pulsatility index (PI), resistance index (RI) and the systole/diastole (S/D) ratio and body flow volume (BFV) was measured.

Transrectal Doppler sonography of uterine blood flow in ewes during pregnancy.

In sheep, there is a lack of information on the behaviour of hemodynamic indices and parameters of blood flow velocity of the uterine artery during pregnancy, making it impossible to determine the real meaning of the values found and their probable relevance in normal physiological or pathological states. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the blood flow velocity parameters and hemodynamic indices of the uterine artery in ewes (18) during pregnancy (33). Based on non-invasive colour Doppler sonography, we evaluated the peak systolic velocity (PS), end diastolic velocity (ED), time-averaged maximum and minimum velocity in a cardiac cycle (TAMAX and TAMEAN), pulsatility index (PI), resistance index (RI), systolic/diastolic ratio (S/D), heart rate (HR), arterial diameter (AD) and the blood flow volume (BFV).