Prediction of Preeclampsia by Identification of Early Diastolic Notch in Uterine Artery Doppler Measurements

Objective: Doppler ultrasonography was performed to investigate the predictive value of early diastolic notch in uterine artery for preeclampsia at 16-18 weeks and 24-26 weeks of gestation. Material and Methods: 132 measurements were performed at 16-18 weeks of gestation (Group 1) and 243 measurements were performed at 24-26 weeks of gestation (Group 2). The patients were divided in two groups according to the presence of early diastolic notch in uterine artery Doppler ultrasonography at both measurement weeks; Group 1a notch negative, Group 1b notch positive and Group 2a notch negative, Group 2b notch positive. Results: In Group 1 and Group 2 early diastolic notch had a sensitivity of 29% and 42% in predicting preeclampsia, with a specificity of 73% and 85%, negative predictive value of 95% and 97%, relative risk of 1.12 (95% CI 0.22-5.4) and 3.86 (95% CI 1.17-10.5) respectively. Conclusion: Identification of a notch can predict preeclampsia more accurately at 24 weeks than 16 weeks of gestation. High negative predictive value of measurements imply the low probability of developing preeclampsia when the results were negative