Abstract

Background: Preeclampsia is a gestational disease characterized by increased vascular resistance, hypertension, and proteinuria. Vascular and hemodynamic changes are a known feature of this condition and Doppler and spectral ultrasound is a feasible tool to evaluate them. This study aimed at examining the changes which occur in the maximum flow velocity of the maternal hepatic vein during preeclampsia.

Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, 106 women with 28-34 wk of gestational age who had referred to obstetrics and gynecology department of Guilan University of Medical Sciences between November 2017 and May 2018 were enrolled and randomly divided into two groups as control (uncomplicated pregnancy, n=56) and case group (preeclampsia, n=50). Doppler evaluation of the right hepatic vein in both groups was performed and comparison was made using regression models. Results: Mean age, gestational age, Body Mass Index (BMI), weight, and height were not statistically different between the groups. Maximum A-wave velocities of the right hepatic vein were lower in normal pregnant women compared with the case group (p<0.001). Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that the venous backflow was significantly higher in preeclampsia patients than women with uncomplicated pregnancies.

Keywords: Preeclampsia, Pregnancy, Hepatic veins, Pulse Wave Analysis, Ultrasonography, Doppler.