Publication:

Role of uterine and umbilical artery doppler assessment of the uteroplacental circulation in predicting pre-eclampsia: comparison between different doppler parameters

Background Hypertensive disorders are the common cause of maternal death which affecting nearly 5-10% of pregnancies all over the world. Pre-eclampsia develop from inadequate trophoblast invasion of the maternal spiral arteries and Doppler values permits non-invasive evaluation of uteroplacental circulation and is of great importance in the management of high risk pregnancies. The aim of the study was to assess the findings of Doppler data in predicting pre-eclampsia and comparison of the efficacy of uterine artery Doppler and umbilical artery Doppler.

Methods The study comprises of 100 women with high risk pregnancy attending antenatal clinic at Geetanjali Medical College and Hospital, Udaipur were subjected to uterine and umbilical artery Doppler Study. Women with high risk pregnancy between 26-32 weeks of gestation were studied with colour Doppler. This was a prospective study over a period of 1 year from 2015-2016.

Results The results of the study revealed that 5 out of 100 participants developed pre-eclampsia. Out of different parameters, notch is the best predictor of pre-eclampsia with high sensitivity and highest PPV for uterine artery Doppler and S/D ratio is considered to be best indicator for umbilical artery Doppler. Regarding efficacy, umbilical artery Doppler is more predictive than uterine Doppler.

Conclusions Doppler study can be used for the prediction of pre-eclampsia to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality.