Three-dimensional power Doppler indices of preeclamptic placentas correlated to umbilical artery Doppler and albuminuria

Abstract

Purpose: To obtain three-dimensional power Doppler (3DPD) indices of placenta in pregnancies complicated with preeclampsia compared to normal pregnancies and correlated to umbilical artery Doppler and albuminuria.

Methods: A case-control study was conducted at Ain Shams University Maternity Hospital. Evaluation of placental vascular indices, vascularization index (VI), flow index (FI) and vascularization flow index (VFI), was done using 3DPD in 80 preeclampsia pregnancies compared to 80 normal controls.

Results: 3DPD indices (VI, FI and VFI) of preeclampsia cases revealed lower values than controls (p < 0.001). There was a statistical inverse correlation between albuminuria versus VI (p < 0.05) and a statistical inverse correlation was found between VI, FI and VFI versus umbilical artery RI.

Conclusion: 3DPD indices of placental vasculature revealed lower values in preeclamptic pregnancies than normal pregnancies. Further studies are needed to discuss the possible role of 3DPD in predicting preeclampsia.

• Placental vascularity
• preeclampsia
• three-dimensional power Doppler

Declaration of interest

The authors report that there is no conflict of interest.