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.