Muhammad Wasim Awan, Maryam Amjad, Yasrab, Saima Ather, Ather Ahmed.
Comparison of Fetal Umbilical Artery Doppler Indices between Normal and Hypertensive Pregnant Women in the Second Trimester of Pregnancy.
Ann Pak Inst Med Sci Jan ;11(2):95-9.

Objective: The purpose of the study is to compare doppler indices in fetal umbilical artery between normal and hypertensive pregnant women in the second trimester of pregnancy. Study design: The study design was non-probability consecutive sampling. Place and duration: From 31th March 2014 till 30th September 2014. Materials and methods: Ninety five patients were included in the study over a span of six months. The criteria for normal pregnancy was that there was no prior or present history of maternal renal disease and other disorders affecting maternal haemodynamics, like pregnancy induced hypertension including pre-eclampsia and eclampsia, anemia (Hb levels less than 11g/dl) thyrotoxicosis, congenital and acquired heart diseases. This was based on previous record and clinical examination. The diagnostic criteria for hypertensive pregnancies required two readings of diastolic pressure of more than 90 mm Hg at least 4 hours apart. These patients may or may not be taking medication for the management of hypertension. Results: The three dependant variables were analyzed individually. Mean and standard deviations were calculated for these indices and comparison made between normotensive and hypertensive subjects. Mean and standard deviations for the pulsatility index were 1.478 (+ 0.355) and 1.218 (+ 0.218), for the resistivity index were 0.684 (+ 0.0973) and 0.640 (+ 0.699). For the S/D ratio these were 5.010 (+ 1.368) and 3.480 (+ 0.570) in hypertensives and normotensives respectively. Conclusion: In my study, among the Doppler indices, the resistivity index proved to be significant. In hypertensive pregnancies Doppler ultrasound should be used for evaluating the degree of fetoplacental blood flow in order to detect the risk of pregnancy complications. Different studies showed varied significance of the Doppler indices in hypertensive pregnant ladies. However further studies are necessary to determine the diagnostic value of doppler uteroplacental velocimetry with regard to the pulsatility index and Systolic/Diastolic ratio in our population.

PakMediNet -Pakistan's largest Database of Pakistani Medical Journals - http://www.pakmedinet.com