Angle correction can be used to measure peak systolic velocity in the fetal middle cerebral artery
Received 20 June 2008; received in revised form 1 October 2008; accepted 5 November 2008.
Objective
The objective of the study was to compare Doppler ultrasound measurements of the fetal middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity (MCA-PSV) obtained at a 0° angle of insonation to assessment at 30° and 30° with angle correction.
Study Design
Patients between 14 and 36 weeks' gestation were enrolled (n = 66). MCA-PSV measurements were assessed at 0°, 30°, and 30° with angle correction. The data were analyzed using a mixed model adjusted for gestational age. Pairwise comparisons of mean MCA-PSV measurements were made using the Tukey multiple comparison test.
Results
All measurements were obtained for 50 fetuses (76%). Mean MCA-PSV measurements were statistically different between 0° vs 30° (P = .03 to < .001) but not between 0° vs 30° with angle correction (P = .34-.99) at each of the 5 gestational age groupings.
Conclusion
Assessment of the MCA-PSV at 0° and 30° with angle correction provides comparable measurements during the second and third trimester of pregnancy.
cDepartment of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
dCarolina Population Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
eDivision of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
fDivision of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, and the Texas Children's Fetal Center, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX
Reprints: Michael S. Ruma, MD, MPH, Perinatal Associates of New Mexico, Ltd, 201 Cedar SE, Suite 405, Albuquerque, NM 87106
This study was supported in part by the Bowes/Cefalo Young Researcher Award-Center for Maternal and Infant Health, University of North Carolina, and the Medical Alumni Endowment Fund, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC.
Cite this article as: Ruma MS, Swartz AE, Kim E, et al. Angle correction can be used to measure peak systolic velocity in the fetal middle cerebral artery. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2009;200:397.e1-397.e3.
ABSTRACT
Angle correction can be used to measure peak systolic velocity in the fetal middle cerebral artery