Abstract
Objective This study aimed to estimate the performance of first-trimester uterine artery (UtA)
pulsatility index (PI) for the prediction of preeclampsia (PE).
Study Design We conducted a prospective cohort study of nulliparous women with singleton gestation
at 11 to 13 6/7 weeks. UtA-Doppler's was performed on both UtAs and the mean UtA-PI was reported
in multiple of median (MoM) adjusted for gestational age. Using receiver operating
characteristic curves and their area under the curves (AUC); we calculated the performance
of UtA-PI for the prediction of PE. Proportional hazard models were used to develop
prediction models combining UtA-PI and maternal characteristics.
Results Out of 4,676 participants with completed follow-up, 232 (4.9%) developed PE, including
202 (4.3%) term and 30 (0.6%) preterm PE. Mean UtA-PI decreased with gestational age
between 11 and 13 6/7 weeks (p < 0.001). First-trimester UtA-PI was associated with preterm (AUC: 0.69; 95% CI [confidence
interval]: 0.57–0.80) but not with term (AUC: 0.52; 95% CI: 0.48–0.56) PE. UtA-PI
combined with maternal characteristics could predict 45% of preterm PE at a false
positive rate of 10%.
Conclusion First-trimester UtA-PI decreases with gestational age between 11 and 13 6/7 weeks and is associated with the risk of preterm but not term PE.
Keywords
pregnancy - preeclampsia - ultrasound - Doppler's - antenatal screening
