In vivo assessment of failed trophoblastic invasion of the spiral arteries in pre-eclampsia.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the ability of colour/pulsed Doppler ultrasound to detect failed physiologic change of the spiral arteries in pregnancies complicated by pre-eclampsia.

DESIGN

Prospective matched-pairs case controlled study.

SETTING

Tertiary referral teaching hospital.

SAMPLE: Sixteen women with severe pre-eclampsia and 16 normotensive controls.

METHODS

Colour/pulsed Doppler assessment of blood flow in the uterine arteries and spiral arteries in central and peripheral parts of the placental bed.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Impedance to blood flow in the spiral arteries in pre-eclamptic group compared with normotensive controls.

RESULTS

In women with pre-eclampsia there is significantly higher impedance to blood flow in spiral arteries compared with normotensive women.

CONCLUSIONS

Ultrasound colour/pulsed Doppler based investigation of blood flow in the spiral arteries in ongoing pregnancy can detect failed physiological change of these vessels in pre-eclampsia. This is in concordance with histologic data.