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Updated: Aug 29, 2026
Functional Transcranial Doppler Ultrasound for Monitoring Cerebral Blood Flow
Published on: March 15, 2021
Side-to-side differences in transcranial Doppler parameters in normotensive and preeclamptic pregnant women
Shlomit Riskin-Mashiah1, Michael A Belfort, George R Saade
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA. asriskin@newmail.net
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, end-diastolic, 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 between the two groups.
Conclusion:
Preeclampsia does not appear to induce greater side-to-side velocity differences in the MCA distribution.
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01:28Special considerations while measuring blood pressure
Monitoring Both Arms:
Monitoring BP in both arms during the initial assessment is advisable, as the systolic value may differ by five to ten mm Hg between arms. For subsequent BP assessments, use the arm with the higher reading.
01:19Assessing Blood pressure using a doppler ultrasound
Pre-Procedural Guidelines for Doppler Ultrasound Blood Pressure Assessment:
Preparation of Equipment: