Factors associated with uterine artery Doppler anomalies in patients with preeclampsia

Abstract

Uterine artery Doppler anomalies are associated with unfavorable outcomes in women with preeclampsia.

Objectives: To examine the association between abnormal uterine artery Doppler and severity of preeclampsia.

Study design: Retrospective analysis of a population of 287 patients with preeclampsia who underwent a uterine artery Doppler velocimetric examination at the onset of preeclampsia, between 1996 and 2002. The population was classified into three groups: Group I had normal uterine artery Doppler findings; Group II had a high uterine artery resistance index; and, Group III had both high uterine artery resistance index and bilateral notches.

Results: Compared to Group I, preeclampsia occurred earlier in Group II (76.3%) (p < 0.001), and HELLP syndrome was most frequent in Group III. The frequency of fetal growth restriction (pound 3(rd) percentile) was different between groups (19.1, 32.4 and 49.7% in groups I, II and III, respectively). The perinatal death rate was significantly higher in group III than the other two groups (12.8% vs 2.9%, p < 0.01).

Conclusions: In patients with preeclampsia, the presence of uterine artery Doppler anomalies (high resistance index with or without bilateral notches) was associated with unfavorable pregnancy outcomes.