The object of this study was to analyze the vascularization index of three-dimensional (3D) power Doppler ultrasound (PDUS) of the placenta in severe pre-eclampsia compared with normal pregnancy conditions by vascular biopsy sampling sphere.

This study is a prospective longitudinal observational study on 80 pregnant women which divided into 2 groups: Group I (study group) were 40 pregnant women with severe pre-eclampsia, group II (control group) were 40 pregnant women without disorder. Variables examined in this study were vascular index (VI), flow index (FI) and vascular flow index (VFI) of the 3D-PD placental perfusion. Its correlation to gestational age in normal pregnancy compared with the condition of preeclampsia were obtained by taking multiple biopsy sampling vascular sphere. All pregnant women underwent 3D PD-US examination (single examination only), data volume recorded of the placenta allows for off-line analysis without the presence of the patient, thus allowing the data analysis done anywhere and anytime by observers for the comparative analysis of interobserver reliability.

The placenta can be visualized perfectly in both of the study group and also the control group. Average Kappa value for the acquisition of placental vascularization index measurements with 3D PD-US was 0.72 (0.61-0.82), 0.73 (0.65-0.82) and 0.71 (0.61-0.81) for VI, FI and VFI in the range of 20 to 38 weeks showed good interobserver reliability. All 3D power Doppler indices had a significant association with gestational age, with VI showed a less significant relationship (r = 0.207, p = 0.0139) and FI has the most significant relationship (r = 0.582, p < 0.001). FI index increased progressively with gestational age, while the VI index values indicate dispersion pattern and reached a plateau from week 30 onwards. Entering week 37th, there was a decrease in the value of the index VI until the end of pregnancy. Meanwhile, VFI index appears to resemble the pattern of a combination of both VI and FI index (r = 0.692, p <0.001).

All parameters of 3D power Doppler index was lower in the severe pre-eclampsia compared with normal pregnancy. 3D PD-US can be used to assess the vascularization of the placenta and the intensity of intra-placental blood flow. Placental vascular biopsy method is fairly efficient way to perform routine evaluations evolution of placental vascular branch during pregnancy.

Andonotopo W, Kristanto H, Dewantiningrum J, Pramono BA. Difference between Vascularization Indexes of the Placenta in Severe Pre-eclampsia and Normal Pregnancy by Three-dimensional Power Doppler Ultrasound. Donald School J Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2014;8(4):329-335.