[Resistance in uterine arcuate arteries of pregnant hypertensive patients].

Hypertensive pregnant women were examined by continuous Doppler-ultrasound to measure resistance to blood flow in the uterine arcuate arteries. 20/26 had increased resistance. Those with bilateral increased resistance delivered after a mean of 33.2 weeks of pregnancy, 46.1% of them by cesarean section, and the mean birthweight was 1743 g. Those with unilateral increased resistance delivered after a mean of 38.0 weeks, 28.5% by cesarean section, and the mean birthweight was 2813 g. Measurement of blood flow by the Doppler method seems to be useful in the management of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, as it helps to assess deficiency of the uterine circulation.