Comparison between placental 3D power Doppler and uterine artery pulsatility index in early prediction of pre-eclampsia

Abstract

Aim of the work: To compare between placental 3D Power Doppler vascular indices and uterine artery pulsatility index in early prediction of preeclampsia. Methods: The prospective comparative observational cohort study included 200 women in their first trimester at 11–14 weeks of pregnancy divided into 2 groups. 100 women with no risk factor to develop preeclampsia (control group), 100 women with any risk factor to develop preeclampsia (case group). All women were examined by 3D abdominal ultrasound, Blood flow in placenta was examined using 3D power Doppler technique for the placental vascular indices. Uterine artery pulsatility index was also assessed. All Patients were followed up to the end of their pregnancies and their medical files reviewed to obtain whether patients developed preeclampsia and other hypertensive disorders. Results: Overall, 17 women developed pre-eclampsia while 183 women remained normotensive (7 out of 100 women in the control group and 10 out of 100 women in the case group). In both groups the women with pre-eclampsia had significantly lower placental vascular indices (vascularization-index, flow index, and vascularization flow index) compared with the normotensive women. In contrast, women with pre-eclampsia in both groups had significantly high mean uterine pulsatility index compared with the normotensive women.