title: Doppler sonography of maternal cerebral arteries in pregnancy: side-to-side differences.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study side-to-side differences in blood flow of the common and internal carotid arteries, and the vertebral arteries (VAs) in women with uncomplicated pregnancies as a first step to build a reference values chart.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 155 healthy pregnant women between 20 and 40 weeks' gestation were included. Doppler sonography of the common and internal carotid arteries and VAs was performed on both sides. Parameters measured included diameter, peak systolic velocity, systolic-diastolic ratio, end-diastolic velocity, pulsatility index and resistance index. Statistical analysis was performed using the S-Plus 8.0 program. Normality was determined using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Differences between sides were tested using Student's paired t test, association using linear correlation, and agreement using the Bland-Altman method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean values were equal between sides for all parameters with the exception of the end-diastolic velocity in the VAs. The association and agreement between the measurements taken from the right and left sides were poor. Bland-Altman plots also indicated low agreement between sides. All parameters showed significant right-to-left differences.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite the equality between means, right and left flows through the vessels studied differed as there was poor association and agreement.
authors.affiliation: Clínica Perinatal, Bonsucesso General Hospital, Fluminense Federal University,Av. Abelardo Bueno 201, Barra, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. fernandacampos@cpdt.com.br
authors.forename: Fernanda Campos da
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Renato Augusto Moreira de
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Sá
authors.forename: Luis Guillermo Coca
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Velarde
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Suarez
authors.forename: Yves
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ville
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002536:Cerebral Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003971:Diastole; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D012016:Reference Values; D013599:Systole; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014711:Vertebral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging