Prognostic role of uterine artery Doppler in patients with preeclampsia.

Objectives: To evaluate the predictive capacity of umbilical, cerebral and uterine artery Doppler in women admitted for preeclampsia (PE).

Methods: 190 consecutive singleton pregnancies admitted with PE were included. Umbilical, cerebral and uterine artery Dopplers were performed. The association with adverse perinatal outcome was evaluated from 2 x 2 tables and multivariately by logistic regression.

Results: A total of 82 (43%) women had an abnormal uterine artery Doppler on admission, being more prevalent in early-onset (<32 weeks) than in the late-onset PE (62 vs. 27%, p < 0.05). In both early- and late-onset forms, uterine artery Doppler showed a greater capacity than umbilical and middle cerebral artery Doppler for predicting adverse perinatal outcome.

Conclusion: Uterine artery Doppler was the best predictive parameter for perinatal outcome in pregnancies with PE and may be included as a primary surveillance test.