The Relation of Ductus Venosus Pulsatility Index and Nuchal Translucency Thickness in a First-Trimester Sonographic Examination: A Matched Case-Control Study

Abstract

Objective: Accumulating evidence suggests that abnormal ductus venosus (DV) flow is associated with fetal anomalies. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between quantitative DV Doppler parameters and nuchal translucency (NT). Materials and Methods: A total of 76 singleton pregnancies with an NT >= 3 mm were enrolled in the experimental group, and 156 singleton pregnancies with an NT <3 mm were recruited in the control group. Ductus venosus Doppler parameters were collected for both groups. The relationship of the DV Doppler parameters between the two groups and the correlation within the experimental group were analyzed. A receiver-operating characteristic curve was used to determine the best diagnostic cut-off point of DV pulsatility index (DVPI) to indicate a measured NT >= 3 mm. Results: There was a significantly higher values for DVPI, DV resistance index (DVRI), and systolic velocity/maximum velocity during atrial wave ratio in fetuses with an NT >= 3 mm compared with those in the control group (P < .00). Fetuses with increased NT, DVPI, and DVRI showed significant positive correlations with NT (P < .00; r = 0.44 and P < .00; r = 0.37, respectively). The best diagnostic cut-off point of DVPI for indicating a measured NT >= 3 mm was 1.15, indicating acceptable performance for the area under the curve of 0.83 (95 confidence interval: 0.770-0.892). Conclusion: In this study, in fetuses with an NT >= 3, the DVPI was higher than that in those with an NT <3. In addition, a positive correlation between DVPI and an NT >= 3 was observed.