Analysis of Ophthalmic Artery Doppler in Normotensive, Preeclamptic, and Eclamptic Pregnancies in Correlation With Clinical Parameters in a Tertiary Care Hospital in India

Preeclampsia occurs in hypertensive pregnant women beyond 20 weeks of gestation and is accompanied by proteinuria. Hypertensive retinopathy is the most prevalent sign of preeclampsia, and eclampsia and it needs to be addressed at the earliest opportunity. This study was intended to gauge and assess the ophthalmic artery Doppler indices such as mean enveloped velocity, the pulsatility index (PI), and the resistivity index (RI) in normotensive, preeclamptic, and eclamptic pregnancies with their respective correlations. We also saw correlations with serum creatinine and platelets with the PI and RI. Methods A prospective case-control study was conducted among 70 subjects in the Department of Radiodiagnosis of Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College, Tamaka, Karnataka, India. We carried out ultrasound and Doppler examinations of the right ophthalmic artery. Doppler indices including mean enveloped velocity, PI, and RI were assessed in normotensive as well as preeclamptic pregnancies. Results The mean ages of cases and controls were 28.26 and 26.74 years, respectively. The mean RIs in controls and cases were 0.86 and 0.69, respectively (preeclampsia and eclampsia were 0.73 and 0.65, respectively), whereas the mean PIs in controls and cases were 1.96 and 1.17, respectively (preeclampsia and eclampsia were 1.31 and 1.06, respectively). The mean enveloped velocities in preeclampsia and eclampsia were 28.82 cm/sec and 20.43 cm/sec, respectively. Conclusion We found a definite reduction in the PI, RI, and mean enveloped velocity flow levels in preeclampsia and eclampsia patients in comparison to that amongst normal subjects. Therefore, it is important to assess and manage such conditions at the earliest stage to achieve a better prognosis while providing adequate treatment to the patient.