Ahmed M Maged1, Noura ElNassery2, Mona Fouad2, Aly Abdelhafiz2, Walaa Al Mostafa2. 1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kasr AlAini Hospital, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt. Electronic address: prof.ahmedmaged@gmail.com. 2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kasr AlAini Hospital, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between uterine artery Doppler measurements and maternal complications among women with severe pre-eclampsia. METHODS: As part of a cross-sectional study, women with a single intrauterine pregnancy of more than 28 weeks and a diagnosis of severe pre-eclampsia were enrolled at a unit in Cairo, Egypt, between December 2012 and September 2014. Uterine artery Doppler was evaluated and maternal complications were recorded. RESULTS: Among the 100 participants, 76 (76%) experienced maternal complications. There were significant differences in resistance index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) between women who experienced no complications and those who had accidental hemorrhage, HELLP syndrome, and acute pulmonary edema (P<0.001 for all), and postpartum hemorrhage (P=0.004 and P<0.001, respectively). There was no significant difference in RI for women with postpartum fits (P=0.360). There was a statistically significant difference regarding RI (P<0.001) and PI (P=0.005) between cases presenting with complications and those without. There was a significant negative correlation between PI and gestational age (r=-0.988; P<0.001) and between RI and gestational age (r=-0. 854; P<0.001), but no significant correlation between PI or RI and age, systolic blood pressure, or diastolic blood pressure. CONCLUSION: Increased uterine artery resistance in the third trimester of pregnancy could be used to predict postpartum maternal complications.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between uterine artery Doppler measurements and maternal complications among women with severe pre-eclampsia. METHODS: As part of a cross-sectional study, women with a single intrauterine pregnancy of more than 28 weeks and a diagnosis of severe pre-eclampsia were enrolled at a unit in Cairo, Egypt, between December 2012 and September 2014. Uterine artery Doppler was evaluated and maternal complications were recorded. RESULTS: Among the 100 participants, 76 (76%) experienced maternal complications. There were significant differences in resistance index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) between women who experienced no complications and those who had accidental hemorrhage, HELLP syndrome, and acute pulmonary edema (P<0.001 for all), and postpartum hemorrhage (P=0.004 and P<0.001, respectively). There was no significant difference in RI for women with postpartum fits (P=0.360). There was a statistically significant difference regarding RI (P<0.001) and PI (P=0.005) between cases presenting with complications and those without. There was a significant negative correlation between PI and gestational age (r=-0.988; P<0.001) and between RI and gestational age (r=-0. 854; P<0.001), but no significant correlation between PI or RI and age, systolic blood pressure, or diastolic blood pressure. CONCLUSION: Increased uterine artery resistance in the third trimester of pregnancy could be used to predict postpartum maternal complications.