Diagnostic Effectiveness of Ophthalmic Artery Doppler Indices in the Third Trimester of Pregnancy in Women With Pregnancy‐Induced Hypertension in India

ABSTRACT Aim To compare ophthalmic artery (OA) Doppler indices in pregnant women with and without pregnancy‐induced hypertension (PIH) in the third trimester of pregnancy in India. Methods A prospective observational study of 144 pregnant women screened at 32–39 gestational weeks at two foetal radiology centres in North and South India. The mean of the first peak of the systolic velocity (PSV1), the second peak of the systolic velocity (PSV2), the OA pulsatility index (OAPI), and the ratio of the second to the first peak of systolic velocity (PSV ratio) obtained from both eyes were calculated, and the cutoff values of the uterine artery (UtA) PI, PSV1, PSV2, and mean PSV ratio were determined. Results The mean PSV ratio at a cutoff ≥ 0.68 had the best detection rate (83.3%, 95% CI, 51.6–97.9), the best area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (0.79, 95% CI, 0.65–0.93) and odds ratio (15, 95% CI, 2.74–78.4). Conclusion The OA mean PSV ratio can differentiate PIH in the late third trimester. However, we recommend that further studies be conducted in diverse settings to validate this finding.