Doppler reference values of the fetal vertebral and middle cerebral arteries, at 19-41 weeks gestation

Autores de IIS La Fe

• 

  José Morales Roselló

  Autor

• David Hervás Marín

  Autor

• Alfredo José Perales Marín

  Autor

Participantes ajenos a IIS La Fe

• Khalil A
• Morlando M

Grupos

• Medicina Reproductiva

  

  Investigador Principal

  José Morales Roselló

Abstract

Objectives: Blood flow to the fetal brain is supplied by two vascular systems: the vertebral artery (VA) and the internal carotid artery with its anatomical continuation, the middle cerebral artery (ICA/MCA). In this work, our aim was to establish consistent reference values for the comparative study of both arterial systems. Methods: The study group consisted of 2323 Doppler examinations of the VA, MCA and UA performed on 2323 single pregnancies between 19 and 41 weeks. These values were afterwards used to calculate the pulsatility index (PI), peak systolic velocity (PSV) and cerebro-placental ratio (CPR) percentiles. Results: The VA and MCA PI reached maximum values at the end of the second trimester and decreased afterwards due to an increase in the diastolic flow. Conversely, the VA and MCA PSV increased progressively until the end of pregnancy. Regarding the VA and MCA CPR values, they were higher in the middle of the third trimester and decreased afterwards. Conclusions: In both arterial systems, Doppler reference values have been calculated for the PI, PSV and CPR, being available for future comparative studies.

Keywords

• Fetal brain; fetal middle cerebral artery Doppler; fetal vertebral artery Doppler