UTERINE ARTERY DOPPLER IN PREECLAMPSIA: CORRELATION WITH DISEASE SEVERITY AND PREGNANCY OUTCOME
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Keywords
preeclampsia; uterine artery Doppler; pulsatility index; resistance index; notching; fetal growth restriction; pregnancy outcome
Abstract
Preeclampsia is a multisystem hypertensive disorder of pregnancy associated with abnormal placentation and impaired uteroplacental perfusion. Uterine artery Doppler provides a non-invasive assessment of uteroplacental vascular resistance and may help identify pregnancies at increased risk of severe disease and adverse outcome.
Aim: To evaluate uterine artery Doppler indices in women with preeclampsia and determine their correlation with disease severity and pregnancy outcome.
Methods: One hundred pregnant women diagnosed with preeclampsia after 20 weeks of gestation were evaluated prospectively. Bilateral uterine artery Doppler was performed using pulsed-wave Doppler. Pulsatility index (PI), resistance index (RI), systolic/diastolic ratio and persistent early diastolic notching were recorded. Maternal disease severity, gestational age at delivery, mode of delivery, birth weight, NICU admission and adverse perinatal outcome were documented.
Results: The mean gestational age at Doppler assessment was 32.8 ± 3.1 weeks. Severe preeclampsia was present in 38% of women. Mean bilateral uterine artery PI was 1.48 ± 0.36 and RI was 0.69 ± 0.09. Mean PI was higher in severe than non-severe preeclampsia (1.76 ± 0.31 vs 1.31 ± 0.27). Persistent bilateral notching was present in 34%. Higher PI and bilateral notching were associated with earlier delivery, lower birth weight and increased NICU admission.
Conclusion: Elevated uterine artery Doppler resistance, particularly increased PI and persistent bilateral notching, was associated with greater disease severity and adverse pregnancy outcomes in this cohort. Uterine artery Doppler may provide useful complementary information for risk stratification when interpreted alongside clinical and biochemical findings.
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Dr.K Raghavendar Babu
Associate Professor - Department of Radiology – Maheshwara Medical College and Hospital, Patancheru, Telangana , India, [email protected]
Dr.Tinaimeiru Golmei
Associate Professor - Department of Radiology – Maheshwara Medical College and Hospital , Patancheru, Telangana , India, [email protected]
Dr.Ashirwad Pasumarthy
Associate Professor - Department of Radiology – Maheshwara Medical College and Hospital , Patancheru, Telangana , India, [email protected]
