Hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy is associated with regional changes in cerebral blood flow velocity and alterations in cardiovascular function.
Doppler-derived indices of cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) and echocardiographic parameters of left ventricular function were measured in 18 patients with hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy HIE (group I) and in 28 normal controls (group II). Group-I infants had a subnormal distribution of CBFV values increasing over the first 85 h postnatally. CBFV values were constantly higher in the internal carotid than in the anterior cerebral artery. During the first 24 h postnatally, pulsatility and resistance indices of cerebral blood flow were significantly higher in group-I patients. From 30 to 85 h after birth, resistance indices were lower in group-I infants with severe HIE. Depressed left ventricular function and/or hypotension was documented in 50% of group-I patients.
Bennhagen
R G
RG
Division of Paediatric Cardiology, University Hospital, Lund, Sweden. rolf.bennhagen@mbox318.swipnet.se
Weintraub
R G
RG
Lundström
N R
NR
Svenningsen
N W
NW
D001238:Asphyxia Neonatorum / Q000150:complications*; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000150:complications*; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000150:complications*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left