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Published on: June 29, 2013
Fetal Aortic Isthmus Doppler Evaluation in Pre-Eclampsia Patients
Gulsan Karabay1, Zeynep Seyhanli1, Ahmet Arif Filiz1
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Perinatology, Ankara Etlik City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
Purpose:
This study aimed to evaluate the role of fetal aortic isthmus (AoI) Doppler parameters in predicting adverse perinatal outcomes in pre-eclampsia patients.
Methods:
This prospective study included 60 pre-eclampsia patients (divided into early-onset [EOPE] and late-onset [LOPE] groups) and 74 controls from Ankara Etlik City Hospital. Doppler parameters-such as aortic isthmus flow index (IFI), systolic/diastolic ratio (S/D), pulsatility index (PI), and resistive index (RI)-were collected, and their associations with adverse perinatal outcomes were analyzed using ROC analysis.
Results:
In the EOPE group, gestational age, birth weight, and APGAR scores were significantly lower compared to the LOPE and control groups (p < 0.001). The EOPE group also showed significantly higher rates of NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) admission, preterm birth, respiratory distress syndrome, and need for mechanical ventilation (p < 0.001). The cut-off values for IFI (> 1.13) and AoI S/D (> 7.42) were found to be significant predictors of adverse perinatal outcomes.
Conclusion:
AoI Doppler parameters may aid in predicting adverse neonatal outcomes in pre-eclampsia patients. The values of IFI, S/D, PI, and RI show potential as useful tools in clinical management, especially in monitoring high-risk pregnancies.
