Uterine Artery Doppler in the Third Trimester of Pregnancy and Postnatal Outcome of Patients with Severe Preeclampsia

Abstract

To assess uterine artery Doppler velocimetry performed in the third trimester of pregnancy in women with severe preeclampsia as a predictor of adverse postpartum outcome. A cohort study including 154 women, conducted in a teaching hospital in Recife, Brazil. Uterine artery Doppler was performed at admission to hospital and postpartum outcome was evaluated. High-resistance uterine artery Doppler was predictive of prolonged hospitalization and of being discharged from hospital under antihypertensive medication. No other correlation with maternal complications was found. High-resistance uterine artery Doppler in the third trimester of pregnancy is able to predict adverse postpartum outcome.