title: Mean, lowest, and highest pulsatility index of the uterine artery and adverse pregnancy outcome in twin pregnancies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the study was to assess the use of mean, lowest, and highest pulsatility index (PI) of the uterine arteries to screen for adverse pregnany outcome in twin pregnancies.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a screening study of 423 twin pregnancies. Relationship between PI at 20-22 weeks and adverse pregnancy outcome was evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean, lowest, and highest PI above the 95th centile were significant risk factors for preeclampsia and adverse pregnancy outcome in monochorionic and dichorionic twins. We calculated a sensitivity for preeclampsia for mean, highest, and lowest PI of 35%, 29%, and 27%, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Increased mean, lowest, and highest PI is associated with a higher risk of preeclampsia and adverse pregnancy outcome in twins. We observed the highest sensitivity and specificity by using highest PI. The high incidence of preeclampsia in twins makes it attractive to use the PI of the uterine artery for risk stratification in twins.
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. katharina.klein@meduniwien.ac.at
authors: Katharina
authors: K
authors: Klein
authors: Mariella
authors: M
authors: Mailath-Pokorny
authors: Marie
authors: M
authors: Elhenicky
authors: Maximilian
authors: M
authors: Schmid
authors: Harald
authors: H
authors: Zeisler
authors: Christof
authors: C
authors: Worda
mesh_terms: D000037:Abruptio Placentae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D046110:Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009017:Morbidity; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D059285:Pregnancy, Twin / Q000502:physiology*; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011673:Pulsatile Flow / Q000502:physiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D050497:Stillbirth / Q000453:epidemiology; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055988:Uterine Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology