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Analysis Study Research Paper | Radiology and Medical Imaging Sciences | India | Volume 12 Issue 1, January 2023
Role of Uterine Artery Doppler Ultrasound in Predicting Pre-Eclampsia in High-Risk Women
Laxmikant Bamaniya [2] | Hetal Kavad [3] | Jigar Tadvi
Abstract: Background and objective: Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a major cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. The utility of Doppler ultrasonography (U/S) in predicting PE has not been extensively explored. This study aimed to determine the role of Doppler U/S in predicting PE among high-risk women. Methodology: This was a retrospective observational study conducted at the Department of radiology, new civil hospital, Surat, over a period of one year, from January 2020 till December 2020. A total of 310 women were initially screened for risk factors for PE. Among them, 105 women were eventually found to have risk factors for PE and hence included in the study. Uterine artery Doppler U/S was performed to evaluate uterine artery?s flow velocity waveforms. They were then used to calculate the presence of diastolic notch and resistance index (RI). At each antenatal visit, the risk factors for PE such as BP, proteinuria, and signs and symptoms were noted. Women were labeled to have PE if they developed hypertension (BP>140/90) after 20 weeks of gestation in combination with proteinuria. Results: Twenty-nine women (28%) had a normal Doppler flow of the uterine arteries. In 74 (72%) women, a unilateral/bilateral RI >0.58 was observed, and 39 women (38.7%) had a bilateral Rl >0.58. Notching of the uterine artery was also observed in 53 (47%, unilateral/bilateral) and in 30 (29.3%) bilaterally. Among the 105 women, BP of 140/90 mmHg along with proteinuria was observed in 78 (76.7%) cases, which were hence diagnosed as PE. Based on the cutoff of Rl and notching of the uterine artery, the overall sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV) of Doppler U/S in predicting PE were 70.4%, 28.3%, 22%, and 74%, respectively. As far as individual Doppler U/S indices were concerned, RI>0.58 (unilateral/bilateral) was found to be most sensitive (75%), while the presence of uterine artery notch (unilateral/bilateral) was most specific in predicting PE. Conclusion: Abnormal Doppler U/S has good overall sensitivity in predicting PE. Among individual Doppler indices, notching of uterine arteries had a better specificity compared to high RI.
Keywords: pre eclampsia, ANC Doppler, uterine artery, role of USG
Edition: Volume 12 Issue 1, January 2023,
Pages: 599 - 602