I F Reijnders1, A G M G J Mulders1, M P H Koster1, A H J Koning2, A Frudiger1, S P Willemsen3, E Jauniaux4, G J Burton5, R P M Steegers-Theunissen6, E A P Steegers1. 1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands. 2. Department of Pathology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands. 3. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Biostatistics, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands. 4. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University College London Hospitals, Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom. 5. Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom. 6. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Electronic address: r.steegers@erasmusmc.nl.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The availability of imaging makers of early placental circulation development is limited. This study aims to develop a feasible and reliable method to assess preconceptional and early first-trimester utero-placental vascular volumes using three-dimensional power Doppler (3D PD) ultrasound on two different Virtual Reality (VR) systems. METHODS: 3D PD ultrasound images of the uterine and placental vasculature were obtained in 35 women, either preconceptionally (n = 5), or during pregnancy at 7 (n = 10), 9 (n = 10) or 11 (n = 10) weeks of gestation. Preconceptional uterine vascular volume (UVV), first-trimester placental vascular volume (PVV) and embryonic vascular volume (EVV) were measured by two observers on two VR systems, i.e., a Barco I-Space and VR desktop. Intra- and inter-observer agreement and intersystem agreement were assessed by intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) and absolute and relative differences. RESULTS: Uterine-, embryonic- and placental vascular volume measurements showed good to excellent intra- and inter-observer agreement and inter-system reproducibility with most ICC above 0.80 and relative differences of less than 20% preconceptionally and almost throughout the entire gestational age range. Inter-observer agreement of PVV at 11 weeks gestation was suboptimal (ICC 0.69, relative difference 50.1%). DISCUSSION: Preconceptional and first-trimester 3D PD ultrasound utero-placental and embryonic vascular volume measurements using VR are feasible and reliable. Longitudinal cohort studies with repeated measurements are needed to further validate this and assess their value as new imaging markers for placental vascular development and ultimately for the prediction of placenta-related pregnancy complications. Crown
INTRODUCTION: The availability of imaging makers of early placental circulation development is limited. This study aims to develop a feasible and reliable method to assess preconceptional and early first-trimester utero-placental vascular volumes using three-dimensional power Doppler (3D PD) ultrasound on two different Virtual Reality (VR) systems. METHODS: 3D PD ultrasound images of the uterine and placental vasculature were obtained in 35 women, either preconceptionally (n = 5), or during pregnancy at 7 (n = 10), 9 (n = 10) or 11 (n = 10) weeks of gestation. Preconceptional uterine vascular volume (UVV), first-trimester placental vascular volume (PVV) and embryonic vascular volume (EVV) were measured by two observers on two VR systems, i.e., a Barco I-Space and VR desktop. Intra- and inter-observer agreement and intersystem agreement were assessed by intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) and absolute and relative differences. RESULTS: Uterine-, embryonic- and placental vascular volume measurements showed good to excellent intra- and inter-observer agreement and inter-system reproducibility with most ICC above 0.80 and relative differences of less than 20% preconceptionally and almost throughout the entire gestational age range. Inter-observer agreement of PVV at 11 weeks gestation was suboptimal (ICC 0.69, relative difference 50.1%). DISCUSSION: Preconceptional and first-trimester 3D PD ultrasound utero-placental and embryonic vascular volume measurements using VR are feasible and reliable. Longitudinal cohort studies with repeated measurements are needed to further validate this and assess their value as new imaging markers for placental vascular development and ultimately for the prediction of placenta-related pregnancy complications. Crown
Authors: Emilie Hitzerd; Igna F Reijnders; Annemarie G M G J Mulders; Anton H J Koning; Irwin K M Reiss; A H Jan Danser; Régine P M Steegers-Theunissen; Sinno H P Simons; Maria P H Koster Journal: Front Physiol Date: 2020-01-24 Impact factor: 4.566
Authors: A H Jan Danser; Régine P M Steegers-Theunissen; Rosalieke E Wiegel; Maud J H Karsten; Igna F Reijnders; Lenie van Rossem; Sten P Willemsen; Annemarie G M G J Mulders; Anton H J Koning; Eric A P Steegers Journal: Reprod Biol Endocrinol Date: 2021-11-04 Impact factor: 5.211
Authors: Linette van Duijn; Melek Rousian; Igna F Reijnders; Sten P Willemsen; Esther B Baart; Joop S E Laven; Régine P M Steegers-Theunissen Journal: Hum Reprod Date: 2021-07-19 Impact factor: 6.918
Authors: Rianne C Bijl; Jérôme M J Cornette; Annemien E van den Bosch; Johannes J Duvekot; Jeroen Molinger; Sten P Willemsen; Anton H J Koning; Jolien W Roos-Hesselink; Arie Franx; Régine P M Steegers-Theunissen; Maria P H Koster Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2019-11-10 Impact factor: 2.692
Authors: Melek Rousian; Sam Schoenmakers; Alex J Eggink; Dionne V Gootjes; Anton H J Koning; Maria P H Koster; Annemarie G M G J Mulders; Esther B Baart; Irwin K M Reiss; Joop S E Laven; Eric A P Steegers; Régine P M Steegers-Theunissen Journal: Int J Epidemiol Date: 2021-11-10 Impact factor: 7.196