American journal of obstetrics and gynecology
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Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. · Dec 2002
Transcranial doppler measurement of cerebral velocity indices as a predictor of preeclampsia.
We have previously shown that women with preeclampsia demonstrate cerebral hyperperfusion and abnormal cerebrovascular autoregulation. In the current study, we tested the hypothesis that abnormal cerebrovascular function can be detected before the clinical onset of preeclampsia. ⋯ Normotensive pregnant women who later have preeclampsia demonstrate lower baseline pulsatility and resistance indices but normal vasodilatory responses to challenge tests. These findings suggest that women who are destined to have preeclampsia experience cerebral hemodynamic changes that predate the development of overt preeclampsia symptoms.