Abstract

CORTES-YEPES, Hernán. Doppler ultrasound screening during the first trimester of pregnancy for preeclampsia: a cohort study. Bogotá, Colombia 2007 -2008. Rev Colomb Obstet Ginecol [online]. 2009, vol.60, n.4, pp.328-333. ISSN 0034-7434.

Objectives: this prospective study was aimed at determining the diagnostic usefulness and detection power of the abnormal pulsatility index in the uterine arteries during the first trimester of pregnancy related to the appearance of preeclampsia in a low-risk population. Methodology: this was a prospective cohort study of the uterine artery pulsatility rate in 444 patients who attended normal prenatal checkups between 11 to 14 weeks of pregnancy. It prospectively assessed the onset of preeclampsia or gestational hypertension and s severe preeclampsia. This test’s operative characteristics were determined at different cut-off points. Results: thirty patients suffered from gestational preeclampsia or gestational hypertension (7.8%) and six patients developed severe preeclampsia (1.5%). Uterine artery pulsatility rate during the first trimester was significantly higher in women who later developed preeclampsia than those who did not suffer (1.9 - 1.45, p=0.0001). Uterine artery pulsatility rate presented a better function for determining severe preeclampsia. Conclusions: the present study demonstrated that an abnormal Doppler result during the first trimester of pregnancy was significantly associated with developing preeclampsia. This test may be a useful tool for selecting women who could benefit from closer attention during prenatal checkups.

Keywords : preeclampsia; pregnancy; first trimester of pregnancy; Doppler ultrasound examination.

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