Ophthalmic artery color Doppler ultrasonography in mild-to-moderate preeclampsia.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the hemodynamic changes in mild-moderate preeclampsia using ophthalmic artery Doppler ultrasonography technique.


METHODS
Ophthalmic artery pulsatility and resistivity indices were calculated in 30 mild-moderate preeclamptic women and 30 normotensive gravid women of matched gestational age. Student's t-test was performed to test the significance of difference.


RESULTS
Both indices of peripheral resistance were found to be significantly lower in the ophthalmic arteries of mild-moderately preeclamptic women than those measured in normotensive gravid women at similar stage of pregnancy. In a small number patients whose disease progressed to severe preeclampsia, both indices increased.


CONCLUSIONS
In patients with mild-moderate preeclampsia, ophthalmic artery color Doppler ultrasonography detects hemodynamic changes that are not present in normotensive gravid women. Reversal of Doppler patterns in a small number of patients with progressive disease supports the hypotheses suggesting the presence of early vasodilation and late vasospasm in the etiology of preeclampsia.
Ayaz
Tunahan
T
Department of Radiology, Goztepe SSK Hospital, Goztepe, Istanbul, Turkey.
Akansel
Gur
G
Hayirlioglu
Alper
A
Arslan
Arzu
A
Suer
Necdet
N
Kuru
Ihsan
I
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009880:Ophthalmic Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D011673:Pulsatile Flow; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color