Superb Microvascular Imaging Generation 4 for Demonstration of Placental Microvasculature

ABSTRACT

Objective

To present placental microvasculature using superb microvascular imaging generation 4 ^® (SMI Gen4).

Material and methods

A total of 20 healthy pregnancies were studied to describe placental microvasculature using transabdominal SMI Gen4 at 13–36 weeks of gestation.

Results

Superb microvascular imaging generation 4 ^® (SMI Gen4) clearly depicted primary, secondary, as well as tertiary stem villous vessels late in the first trimester of pregnancy. Volcanic eruption-like spiral artery jet flow (SAJ) was noted early in the second trimester of pregnancy. Increased placental vascularity was noted after the second trimester of pregnancy.

Conclusion

SMI Gen4 may become a new diagnostic tool for the observation of placental microvasculature late in the first trimester of pregnancy. This modality may provide unique information on the prediction of fetoplacental insufficiency and hypertensive disorder during pregnancy.

How to cite this article

Hata T, Kawahara T, Koyanagi A, et al. Superb Microvascular Imaging Generation 4 for Demonstration of Placental Microvasculature. Donald School J Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2023;17(2):109–111.