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Assessment of Maternal Vascular Remodeling During Pregnancy in the Mouse Uterus
Published on: December 5, 2015
Maternal cerebral blood flow during normal pregnancy: a cross-sectional study
Ori Nevo1, Jean F Soustiel, Israel Thaler
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, 60 Grosvenor Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. ori.nevo@sunnybrook.ca
American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
|July 6, 2010
Summary
Maternal cerebral blood flow (CBF) gradually increases during pregnancy, with significant changes observed from the first to the third trimester. This study investigated these physiological adaptations in healthy pregnancies.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- Pregnancy induces significant physiological alterations in maternal circulation.
- Understanding changes in maternal cerebral blood flow (CBF) is crucial for monitoring pregnancy health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the changes in maternal cerebral blood flow (CBF) throughout normal pregnancy.
- To quantify CBF variations at different gestational stages.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study involving 210 low-risk pregnant women and 15 nonpregnant controls.
- Cerebral blood flow (CBF) measured using dual-beam angle-independent digital Doppler ultrasound.
- Internal carotid artery (ICA) blood flow volume assessed to determine CBF.
Main Results:
- Internal carotid artery (ICA) blood flow volume increased from 318 mL/min in the first trimester to 382.1 mL/min in the third trimester.
- Maternal cerebral blood flow (CBF) values rose from 44.4 to 51.8 mL/min(-1)/100 g(-1) (P < .0001).
- These increases correlated with decreased cerebral vascular resistance and enlarged ICA diameter.
Conclusions:
- Maternal cerebral blood flow (CBF) demonstrates a progressive increase during normal pregnancy.
- Hormonal influences, such as the vasorelaxing effects of estrogens, likely contribute to these CBF changes.
- The findings provide insights into the physiological adaptations of the maternal cerebrovascular system during gestation.
