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Cerebral hemodynamics in preeclampsia and eclampsia
A I Qureshi1, M R Frankel, J R Ottenlips
1Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Ga, USA.
Archives of Neurology
|December 1, 1996
Summary
Eclampsia is linked to cerebral vasospasm, indicated by higher middle cerebral artery (MCA) velocities. Preeclampsia showed lower pulsatility indexes but similar MCA velocities compared to normotensive pregnancies.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Obstetrics
- Vascular Medicine
Background:
- Preeclampsia and eclampsia are hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.
- Cerebral vasospasm is a potential complication, but its association requires further investigation.
Observation:
- Transcranial Doppler ultrasonography measured middle cerebral artery (MCA) velocity in 11 pregnant women.
- Patients included those with eclampsia, preeclampsia, and normotensive pregnancies.
Findings:
- Eclamptic patients exhibited significantly higher MCA mean flow velocities and lower pulsatility indexes compared to normotensive controls.
- Preeclamptic patients showed lower pulsatility indexes but similar MCA mean flow velocities to normotensive controls.
Implications:
- Findings suggest moderate to severe cerebral vasospasm is associated with eclampsia.
- Further research may elucidate the role of vasospasm in the pathophysiology of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.