Pregnancy induced hypertension remains the most frequent reason of maternal and fetal complications. Recent studies of the entire pathophysiology of the abnormal implantation proved association between the impaired placental performance and the reduced uteroplacental circulation. Therefore the Doppler examination of uterine and umbilical blood flow may provide the early recognition of high-risk pregnancies complicated by maternal hypertension and fetal intrauterine growth retardation. The authors endeavor to describe the details and characteristics of uteroplacental haemodynamic changes during the course of physiologic and defective implantation. On the basis of the currently available scientific publications they summarize the role of the uterine and umbilical artery Doppler velocimetry as a screening tool in the detection of the consequences of the impaired uteroplacental perfusion. They conclude that abnormal velocity waveforms obtained from the uterine and umbilical arteries may help to improve the efficacy of the prenatal care and the perinatal outcome as well. The clinical benefits of this screening method will be precisely defined on the basis of further multicenter studies in Hungary.