Uterine Artery Doppler in the Third Trimester of Pregnancy and Postnatal Outcome of Patients with Severe Preeclampsia

Abstract

Objectives: To assess uterine artery Doppler velocimetry performed in the third trimester of pregnancy in women with severe preeclampsia as a predictor of adverse postpartum outcome. Methods: A cohort study including 154 women, conducted in a teaching hospital in Recife, Brazil. Uterine artery Doppler was performed at admission to hospital and postpartum outcome was evaluated. Results: High-resistance uterine artery Doppler was predictive of prolonged hospitalization and of being discharged from hospital under antihypertensive medication. No other correlation with maternal complications was found. Conclusion: High-resistance uterine artery Doppler in the third trimester of pregnancy is able to predict adverse postpartum outcome.

Keywords:

• Preeclampsia
• Pregnancy
• Ultrasound

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Source of funding is from CNPq – Scientific initiation fellowship (PIBIC).

Declaration of Interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.