Assessment of Fetal Compromise by Doppler Ultrasound Investigation of the Fetal Circulation

Fetal compromise is associated with significant alterations in the fetal arterial and venous circulation. Significant changes in venous Doppler waveforms develop due to increased afterload and perhaps myocardial failure in late deterioration after fetal arterial redistribution is established and seem to be closely related to abnormal biophysical assessment findings. Therefore, Doppler investigation of the fetal venous circulation may play an important role in monitoring the redistributing growth retarded fetus and thereby may help to determine the optimal time for delivery.