OVARIAN STROMAL AND UTERINE ARTERY BLOOD FLOW PATTERN IN HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS DIAGNOSED ON ULTRASOUND

Abstract

Background: Hypertension is the most common systemic vascular disorder that can adversely affect microvascular circulation in multiple organs, including the female reproductive system. While the impact of hypertension on major organs is well documented, its effect on uterine artery and ovarian stromal blood flow in non-pregnant women remains underexplored.

Objective: To compare ovarian stromal and uterine artery blood flow patterns in hypertensive and normotensive women using Doppler ultrasound.

Methodology: This comparative cross-sectional study was conducted at Faizan Medical and Surgical Hospital, Lahore, over a period of nine months. A total of 46 women aged 18–45 years were included and divided equally into hypertensive (n=23) and normotensive (n=23) groups. Transabdominal ultrasound was performed to assess pelvic anatomy, followed by Doppler evaluation of bilateral uterine arteries and ovarian stromal vessels. Resistance index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) were measured. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25, and independent sample t-tests were applied, with a p-value <0.05 considered statistically significant.

Results: Hypertensive women demonstrated significantly higher RI and PI values in both right and left uterine arteries and ovarian stromal vessels compared to normotensive controls (p<0.05). In contrast, grayscale parameters such as uterine size, ovarian dimensions, endometrial thickness, and uterine morphology showed no significant differences between the groups.

Conclusion: Hypertension is associated with increased vascular resistance in uterine and ovarian circulation despite normal pelvic anatomy. Doppler ultrasound is a sensitive tool for detecting early pelvic vascular changes in hypertensive women and may have clinical value in reproductive health assessment.