title: Uterine Doppler velocimetry of the uterine arteries in the second and third trimesters for the prediction of gestational outcome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this longitudinal study was to investigate the value of uterine artery Doppler sonography during the second and third trimesters in the prediction of adverse pregnancy outcome in low-risk women.
  
  
  METHODS
  From July 2011 to August 2012, a total of 205 singleton pregnant women presenting at our antenatal clinic were enrolled in this prospective study and were assessed for baseline demographic and obstetric data. They underwent ultrasound evaluation at the time of second and third trimesters, both included Doppler assessment of bilateral uterine arteries to determine the values of the pulsatility index (PI) and resistance index (RI) and presence of early diastolic notch. The endpoint of this study was assessing the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of Doppler ultrasonography of the uterine artery, for the prediction of adverse pregnancy outcomes including preeclampsia, stillbirth, placental abruption and preterm labor.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of cases was 26.4±5.11. The uterine artery PI and RI values for both second (PI: 1.1±0.42 versus 1.53±0.59, p=0.002; RI: 0.55±0.09 versus 0.72±0.13, p=0.000 respectively) and third-trimester (PI: 0.77±0.31 versus 1.09±0.46, p=0.000; RI: 0.46±0.10 versus 0.60±0.14, p=0.010 respectively) evaluations were significantly higher in patients with adverse pregnancy outcome than in normal women. Combination of PI and RI >95th percentile and presence of bilateral notch in second trimester get sensitivity and specificity of 36.1 and 97% respectively, while these measures were 57.5 and 98.2% in third trimester.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to our study, it seems that uterine artery Doppler may be a valuable tool for the prediction of a variety of adverse outcomes in second and third trimesters.
authors.affiliation: Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Tajrish Hospital; Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences - Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Afrakhteh
authors.affiliation: Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Tajrish Hospital; Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences - Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Aida
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moeini
authors.affiliation: Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, Department of Radiology; Tajrish Hospital; Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences - Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Morteza Sanei
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Taheri
authors.affiliation: Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, Department of Radiology; Tajrish Hospital; Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences - Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Hamid Reza
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Haghighatkhah
authors.affiliation: Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, School of Medicine; Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences - Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fakhri
authors.affiliation: Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, School of Medicine; Tehran University of Medical Sciences - Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Nina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Masoom
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017078:Laser-Doppler Flowmetry; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D055988:Uterine Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*