ROLE OF SHEAR WAVE ELASTOGRAPHY OF PLACENTA IN NORMAL AND PREECLAMPTIC PREGNANCIES IN THIRD TRIMESTER

Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy-related condition characterized by new-onset hypertension (with systolic blood pressure > 140 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure > 90 mm Hg on two occasions at least 4 hours apart, or more severe cases with higher values) along with proteinuria (elevated protein levels in urine). This condition resolves within the rst 6 weeks after childbirth. This abnormal placental attachment and ineffective invasion of trophoblast cells into the muscular spiral arteries leads to hypoxia and placental ischemia. Shear wave elastography (SWE) is an innovative ultrasound technique designed to assess the elasticity of soft tissues. In the placenta, increased stiffness is a consequence of ischemia-related processes including inammation, necrosis, infarction and brosis. The present study is planned to assess the utility of SWE in evaluation of placental function and can be used as a supplement to existing methods for prediction of PE.