Ultrasound and Magnetic Resonance to Detect Placental Pathology

Placental pathology is present in over half of the cases of fetal growth restriction and stillbirth but is often only recognized after detailed autopsy. Current standard-of-care diagnostic methods including uterine artery Doppler ultrasonography and maternal serum biomarkers are only moderately predictive of placental pathology. In this talk I will present a novel ultrasound methodology for detecting pulse pressure waves that travel along the umbilical artery. This technique was first developed in mouse models of pregnancy complications. A recently completely prospective study in humans demonstrates the promise of this technique in detecting two of the most common placental diseases. Finally, I will present some preliminary data using high-resolution magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic spectroscopy to study placental metabolism. Altered placental metabolism may precede placental dysfunction and therefore the study of placental metabolic profiles could identify early biomarkers.