Misoprostol administration in first-trimester pregnancies with embryonic demise reduces uterine arterial blood flow.

Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate the effect of misoprostol on the blood flow in uterine arteries of pregnant women with first-trimester embryonic demise. Methods: Transvaginal ultrasonographic Doppler examinations (resistance index, pulsatility index, systolic/diastolic ratio) of the uterine arteries in 61 pregnant women were performed before misoprostol administration and 90 min later. Following baseline Doppler measurements, each woman received 200 μg misoprostol intravaginally and 200 μg misoprostol orally. Results and conclusion: All Doppler indices increased significantly after misoprostol administration (p < 0.0001), suggesting an increase in flow resistance.