EP16.10: Preliminary study on the evaluation of placental perfusion and fetal growth using 3D microvascular flow imaging

This study aims to evaluate placental microcirculation using 3D microvascular flow imaging (MV-FI) and investigate the relationship between placental 3D vascularization index, flow index, vascularization flow index, and fetal growth. A total of 77 pregnant women between 18-40 weeks of gestation, including 11 cases of fetal growth restriction (FGR) and 66 cases of normal fetal growth, who were treated at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University or referred from other hospitals from May 2023 to November 2023 were included in the study. Placental microcirculation was assessed using 3D microvascular flow imaging (Samsung Medison Co, Ltd, Seoul, Republic of Korea). The average birthweight of fetuses in the normal growth group was 3035 ± 427g, while 2070 ± 467g in the FGR group, showing a significant statistical difference (p < 0.001). Compared to the normal growth group, the placenta in the FGR group showed thickening (30.30 ± 5.22mm versus 34.45 ± 4.74mm, p = 0.33), heterogeneous echogenicity (calcification, blood pools, or gelatinous appearance), decreased VI and VFI (36.01 ± 9.60 versus 46.52 ± 8.35, p < 0.001; 29.04 ± 10.41 versus 39.34 ± 11.42, p = 0.003). There was no significant statistical difference in VFI between the two groups. The CPR ratio was also lower in the FGR group (1.39 ± 0.50 versus 2.01 ± 0.51, p = 0.002). 3D MV-FI can sensitively show placental microcirculation, providing a direct and objective method for quantitatively assessing placental perfusion. It is a promising tool for exploring placental microvascular perfusion and providing new information on various pregnancy-related conditions. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.