Side-to-side differences in transcranial Doppler parameters in normotensive and preeclamptic pregnant women

Objective: This study was undertaken to investigate whether women with preeclampsia demonstrate larger side-to-side velocity differences in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) compared with normotensive pregnant women. Study design: Forty-one preeclamptic women and 50 normotensive pregnant women were studied during the third trimester. Transcranial Doppler ultrasound was used to measure peak,.enddiastolic, and mean velocities in both MCAs. An asymmetry index was calculated as 100 X Rt - Lt\/(Rt + Lt)/2, for each of the following parameters: mean velocity (Vm), pulsatility index (PI), and cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP). Student t test, Pearson correlation, and regression analysis were used. Significance was taken as P<.05. Results: Both normotensive and preeclamptic pregnant women showed good correlation between Rt and Lt MCA Vm (R>0.8, P<.0001), PI (R>0.6, P.0001), and CPP (R>0.8, P<.0001). There were no differences in the asymmetry index for Vm, PI, or CPP beween the two groups. Conclusion: Preeclampsia does not appear to induce greater side-to-side velocity differences in the MCA distribution. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.