Placental stiffness assessment using shear wave elastography in normal and preeclamptic pregnancies: a cross-sectional analytical study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20261268Keywords:
Placenta, Preeclampsia, Shear wave elastography, Placental stiffness, ARFI, UltrasoundAbstract
Background: Preeclampsia is a multisystem hypertensive disorder associated with abnormal placentation and increased placental stiffness. Shear wave elastography (SWE) is a non-invasive imaging modality that quantitatively evaluates tissue elasticity. This study aimed to compare placental stiffness in normal and preeclamptic pregnancies and determine an optimal diagnostic cut-off value.
Methods: This hospital-based cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in the Department of Radiodiagnosis at Dr. S.N. Medical College, Jodhpur between January 2025 and December 2025. A total of 120 pregnant women between 27-40 weeks of gestation were enrolled: 60 normotensive controls and 60 preeclamptic patients. Placental SWE measurements were obtained using a Philips Affiniti 70 ultrasound system. Nine readings were taken from fetal, central, and maternal placental regions. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to determine diagnostic performance.
Results: Mean SWE was significantly higher in preeclamptic women compared to controls (4.59±0.41 m/s vs 2.51±0.10 m/s; p=0.068). Median SWE values yielded an AUC of 0.968. A cut-off value of 4.32 kPa demonstrated sensitivity of 86.7% and specificity of 96.7%. Central placental regions showed significantly higher stiffness in preeclamptic pregnancies.
Conclusions: Placental stiffness measured by SWE is significantly increased in preeclampsia. SWE may serve as a reliable, safe, and non-invasive adjunct tool for evaluating placental pathology and identifying pregnancies at risk.
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