Change of pulsatility index of the fetal middle cerebral artery after auditory stimulation in no risk pregnancies and in pregnancies with gestational hypertension

Clin Exp Hypertens. 2013;35(8):628-31. doi: 10.3109/10641963.2013.776571. Epub 2013 Mar 14.

Abstract

Purpose: An aim was to determine the degree and the mode of variation of PI of middle cerebral artery in no risk pregnancies and in pregnancies with gestational hypertension, after the constant sound stimuli.

Method: Study included 343 patients divided in two groups. Group 1: low risk pregnancies and group 2: gestational hypertension. Ultrasound prenatal auditory screening was performed after the 27th week of gestation.

Results: The percentage of fetuses with increase of cerebral blood flow was slightly higher in the pregnancies with hypertension.

Conclusion: An average change of PI of median cerebral artery was higher in this group.

MeSH terms

  • Acoustic Stimulation / methods
  • Adult
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Female
  • Fetus / blood supply*
  • Gestational Age*
  • Hearing Loss / diagnosis*
  • Hearing Tests
  • Humans
  • Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced*
  • Middle Cerebral Artery / diagnostic imaging*
  • Pregnancy
  • Prenatal Diagnosis / methods
  • Pulsatile Flow / physiology*
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler
  • Ultrasonography, Prenatal