ABSTRACT
We show our experience in the diagnostic and management of 19 pregnancies with absent or reverse diastolic blood flow velocity (ARFV) in the umbilical artery. The presence of ARFV was a rare condition (2.2% of the high risk patients), and it was associated with a poor prognosis shown by the high percentage of fetuses SGD (small for gestational age) (63.2%), malformations and hydrops fetalis (26%) and asphyxiated fetuses, giving a final perinatal mortality rate of 36.8%. In 8 cases (42.1%) the termination or pregnancy was delayed for at least 48 hours, allowing in some cases the administration of corticosteroid. There were significant differences when comparing the groups of survivors and non survivors in relation to the gestational age at the moment of delivery (33.1 +/- 3.4 vs 28.6 +/- 3.8 weeks), malformations (8.3 vs 57.1%) and C-section (91.7 vs 42.9%). Finally, we conclude that the presence of ARFV in the umbilical artery is associated with a critical fetal condition and termination of pregnancy should be considered. In this decision the gestational age and fetal and maternal well being ought to be taken into account when choosing the best moment and route of delivery.
