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. 2011 Apr;5(2):54-8.

The use of uterine artery doppler as a predictive tool for adverse gestational outcomes in pregnant patients with autoimmune and thrombophilic disease

Roberta Capucci  1 , Elena Pivato, Simona Carboni, Elena Mossuto, Gabriella Castellino, Melissa Padovan, Marcello Govoni, Roberto Marci, Alfredo Patella
Affiliations

The use of uterine artery doppler as a predictive tool for adverse gestational outcomes in pregnant patients with autoimmune and thrombophilic disease

Roberta Capucci et al. J Prenat Med. 2011 Apr.

Abstract

Objectives: To verify whether Doppler velocimetry on the uterine arteries can be used to single out abnormal hemodynamic adjustments in the uteroplacental district and to prognose adverse gestational outcomes in pregnant women with autoimmune and trombophilic disease.

Methods: The study included 67 patients divided into 3 groups selected by a developed pathology. Attention was given to the performance of the Resistance Index (RI) in Doppler velocimetry checks at 10th, 16th-18th, 21st and 28th weeks of gestation.

Results: A significant correlation between Doppler values at week 21st and development of preeclampsia was observed (p <0.05) in the three patient groups. High Doppler values at the 21st week were found to be strongly associated (p <0.01) with preterm delivery. We also observed a significant correlation (p <0.05) between high Doppler values at week 21st and low weight at birth. Doppler was found to have a predictive power for gestational adverse outcomes already at week 16th.

Conclusion: RI values of more than 0.58 (taken as a cut-off) at 16/18th weeks allowed us to identify the category most at risk, if confirmed at 21 weeks.

Keywords: Autoimmune diseases; Complications.; Doppler; Pregnancy.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
- Box-plot. Comparison of the medians of the population which experienced preeclampsia (yes) with those have not (no) in each group.
Figure 2
Figure 2
- Mathematical regression tests demonstrate an higly significant correlation between the Doppler values at 21st and 28th weeks.
Figure 3
Figure 3
- Mathematical regression tests demonstrate an higly significant correlation between the Doppler values at 16th and 21th weeks.
Figure 4
Figure 4
- PCA is a multivariate analysis producing two graphs, the samples one (scores) and the variables one (loadings) that can inform about the relation between data through their overlap. The graphs are characterized by four quadrants; the variables placed near and in the same quadrant have positive relations.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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