First-trimester 3-dimensional power Doppler of the uteroplacental circulation space: a potential screening method for preeclampsia.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of the study was to compare 3-dimensional power Doppler (3DPD) of the uteroplacental circulation space (UPCS) in the first trimester between women who develop preeclampsia (PEC) and those who do not and to assess the 3DPD method as a screening tool for PEC.


METHODS
This was a prospective observational study of singleton pregnancies at 10 weeks 4 days to 13 weeks 6 days. The 3DPD indices, vascularization index (VI), flow index (FI), and vascularization flow index (VFI), were determined on a UPSC sphere biopsy with the virtual organ computer-aided analysis (VOCAL) program.


RESULTS
Of 277 women enrolled, 24 developed PEC. The 3DPD indices were lower in women who developed PEC. The area under the receiver-operating characteristics curve for the prediction of PEC was 78.9%, 77.6%, and 79.6% for VI, FI, and VFI, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients who develop PEC have lower 3DPD indices of their UPCS during the first trimester. Our findings suggest that this ultrasonographic tool has the potential to predict the development of PEC.
Dar
Pe'er
P
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Women's Health, Montefiore Medical Center and Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA. peerdar@yahoo.com
Gebb
Juliana
J
Reimers
Laura
L
Bernstein
Peter S
PS
Chazotte
Cynthia
C
Merkatz
Irwin R
IR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008875:Middle Aged; D009215:Myometrium / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010920:Placenta / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D021041:Placental Circulation; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011673:Pulsatile Flow; D012372:ROC Curve; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055988:Uterine Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging