Cardio-oncology & otherMeta-analysis
Ultrasound evaluation of placental volume and placental vascular indices in women developing hypertensive disorders in pregnancy compared to controls: a systematic review and meta-analysis
- systematic review and meta-analysis
- Following PRISMA guidelines
- Cross-sectional, cohort, and case-control studies
Authors' conclusion
First-trimester placental volume and vascular indices are lower in pregnancies that subsequently develop PE, but not GH. These findings suggest potential clinical utility, pending prospective validation and standardized measurement.
Study context
- Population
- Pregnancies that subsequently develop preeclampsia (PE) or gestational hypertension (GH) and normotensive controls, with first-trimester placental volume or vascular indices assessedstudies included in the systematic review, ultrasound performed between 11 and 14 weeks of gestation in 36 studies
- Participants
- Thirty-eight participants
- Comparison
- PE vs normotensive controls
Pooled result
As reported in the abstract
Placental volume (PV) in patients who developed PE · first trimester
MD
−12.61
95% CI −19.05 to −6.17
P-value: 0.0001
PE vs normotensive controls
MD −12.61 (95% CI −19.05 to −6.17); P-value: 0.0001
Further pooled results
| Outcome | MD (95% CI) | P value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| PV in early onset PE · first trimester · lower with early onset PE | −20.61 (−27.56 to −13.66) | P < 0.00001 | |
| PV in late onset PE · first trimester · lower with late onset PE | −11.89 (−17.00 to −6.78) | P < 0.00001 | |
| −40−20020Difference (linear scale) |
| Outcome | Estimate | P value |
|---|---|---|
| Vascular indices in patients with PE · first trimester — PE vs normotensive controls · lower with PE | MD vascularization index −4.69 (95% CI −6.40 to −2.98) | P < 0.00001 |
| Vascular indices in patients with PE · first trimester — PE vs normotensive controls · lower with PE | MD flow index −4.83 (95% CI −6.59 to −3.07) | P < 0.00001 |
| Vascular indices in patients with PE · first trimester — PE vs normotensive controls · lower with PE | MD vascularization flow index −1.98 (95% CI −2.59 to −1.37) | P < 0.00001 |
Original publication
Ultrasound evaluation of placental volume and placental vascular indices in women developing hypertensive disorders in pregnancy compared to controls: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur Heart J Qual Care Clin Outcomes. Published 11 February 2026. doi:10.1093/ehjqcco/qcag020
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it