Doppler Sonography of Maternal Cerebral Arteries in Pregnancy: Side-to-Side Differences

• Published in: Gynecologic and obstetric investigation Vol. 72; no. 1; pp. 25 - 31
• Main Authors: Campos da Silva, Fernanda, Moreira de Sá, Renato Augusto, Velarde, Luis Guillermo Coca, Suarez, Bruno, Ville, Yves
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel, Switzerland Karger 01.01.2011; S. Karger AG
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Arterial hypertension. Arterial hypotension; Biological and medical sciences; Blood and lymphatic vessels; Blood Flow Velocity; Cardiology. Vascular system; Cardiovascular system; Carotid Artery, Common - diagnostic imaging; Carotid Artery, Internal - diagnostic imaging; Cerebral Arteries - diagnostic imaging; Diastole; Diseases of mother, fetus and pregnancy; Female; Gestational Age; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Medical sciences; Original Article; Pregnancy; Pregnancy. Fetus. Placenta; Reference Values; Systole; Ultrasonic investigative techniques; Ultrasonography; Vertebral Artery - diagnostic imaging; Vertebral artery Doppler; Doppler ultrasonography; Maternal hemodynamics; Hypertension in pregnancy; Preeclampsia; Cerebral circulation; Doppler ultrasound study; Sonography; Hypertension; Pregnancy disorders; Gynecology; Cardiovascular disease; Cerebral artery; Obstetrics; Pregnancy toxemia; Encephalon; Pregnancy; Mother; Vertebral artery; Hemodynamics
• ISSN: 0378-7346; 1423-002X
• DOI: 10.1159/000322218

Background/Aims: To study side-to-side differences in blood flow of the common and internal carotid arteries, and the vertebral arteries (VAs) in women with uncomplicated pregnancies as a first step to build a reference values chart. Methods: A total of 155 healthy pregnant women between 20 and 40 weeks’ gestation were included. Doppler sonography of the common and internal carotid arteries and VAs was performed on both sides. Parameters measured included diameter, peak systolic velocity, systolic-diastolic ratio, end-diastolic velocity, pulsatility index and resistance index. Statistical analysis was performed using the S-Plus 8.0 program. Normality was determined using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Differences between sides were tested using Student’s paired t test, association using linear correlation, and agreement using the Bland-Altman method. Results: Mean values were equal between sides for all parameters with the exception of the end-diastolic velocity in the VAs. The association and agreement between the measurements taken from the right and left sides were poor. Bland-Altman plots also indicated low agreement between sides. All parameters showed significant right-to-left differences. Conclusion: Despite the equality between means, right and left flows through the vessels studied differed as there was poor association and agreement.