Open AccessAudio spectrum analysis of umbilical artery Doppler ultrasound signals applied to a clinical material
Author(s) -
Thuring Ann,
Brännström K.Jonas,
Jansson Tomas,
Maršál Karel
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
acta obstetricia et gynecologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1600-0412
pISSN - 0001-6349
DOI - 10.1111/aogs.12468
Subject(s) - umbilical artery , medicine , betamethasone , doppler effect , ultrasound , blood flow , sonographer , cardiology , fetus , pregnancy , radiology , genetics , physics , astronomy , biology
Analysis of umbilical artery flow velocity waveforms characterized by pulsatility index (PI) is used to evaluate fetoplacental circulation in high‐risk pregnancies. However, an experienced sonographer may be able to further differentiate between various timbres of Doppler audio signals. Recently, we have developed a method for objective audio signal characterization; the method has been tested in an animal model. In the present pilot study, the method was for the first time applied to human pregnancies. Doppler umbilical artery velocimetry was performed in 13 preterm fetuses before and after two doses of 12 mg betamethasone. The auditory measure defined by the frequency band where the spectral energy had dropped 15 dB from its maximum level (MAX peak‐15 dB ), increased two days after betamethasone administration ( p = 0.001) parallel with a less pronounced decrease in PI ( p = 0.04). The new auditory parameter MAX peak‐15 dB reflected the changes more sensitively than the PI did.