Intervillous circulation in intra-uterine growth restriction. Correlation to fetal well being

Magnetic resonance imaging requested for a potentially serious indication, provided a unique opportunity to explore the intervillous circulation of placentas from pregnancies complicated by Intra Uterine Growth Restriction (IUGR) and to compare them to normal cases. This allowed an innovative characterization of in vivo utero-placental blood flow, correlating a compromised intervillous circulation in IUGR to the deterioration of fetal condition. MR imaging was requested to rule out suspected posterior placental adhesive disorders in 26 patients. Twelve patients had fetuses appropriate for gestational age, while in 14 patients fetuses were affected by severe IUGR. Multiphasic dynamic contrast-enhanced sagittal sequences were acquired and a quantitative analysis of signal intensity and enhancement kinetics was performed for both the entire placenta and for selected regions. Images disclosed a homogeneous perfusion overall the placenta in normal cases, while IUGR placentas displayed a slow intervillous blood flow, along with many patchy unperfused areas. Intermittent stops worsen the perfusion dynamics of the intervillous mostly in IUGR cases with an elevated ductus venosus pulsatility index. In conclusion, we proved that in IUGR placenta maternal placental blood flow is extremely compromised and that superimposed dynamic phenomena concur to worsen the intervillous circulation leading to an end-stage fetal decompensation.