L. Caforio et al., Predictive value of uterine artery velocimetry at midgestation in low- andhigh-risk populations: A new perspective, FETAL DIAGN, 14(4), 1999, pp. 201-205
Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the value of uterine artery
Doppler velocimetry performed at 18-20 and 22-24 weeks of gestation in pred
icting preeclampsia and adverse pregnancy outcome in low- and high-risk pat
ients. Methods: 865 pregnant women were evaluated: 335 and 530 pregnant wom
en represented the high- and low-risk groups, respectively. Doppler ultraso
und era mi nation of the uterine arteries was performed at 18-20 weeks of g
estation in 385 patients and at 22-24 weeks of gestation in 659 patients. P
regnancy outcome was evaluated in terms of: onset of preeclampsia; birth we
ight <2,500 g; birth weight <1,750 g; delivery before 36 weeks, and deliver
y before 32 weeks. Results: At 18-20 weeks of gestation the sensitivity for
the prediction of preeclampsia was 100 and 94% in low- and high-risk group
s, respectively. Excellent negative predictive values towards birth weight
<1,750 g (97% in low-risk and 93% in high-risk groups) and delivery prior t
o 32 weeks of gestation (99% in low-risk and 95% in high-risk groups) were
obtained. At 22-24 weeks of gestation the sensitivity for the prediction of
preeclampsia was 100 and 97% in low- and high-risk groups, respectively. N
egative predictive values towards birth weight <1,750 g were 97% in low-ris
k and 94% in high-risk groups, whereas towards delivery prior to 32 weeks o
f gestation they were 98% in low-risk and 94% in high-risk groups. Conclusi
on: Doppler evaluation of the uterine artery at 18-20 and 22-24 weeks of ge
station represents a useful predictive test in high-risk pregnancy and can
also be used in prenatal surveillance of a low-risk population.