Blood flow velocity pattern of the anterior cerebral arteries. Before and after drainage of posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus in the newborn.

The blood flow velocity pattern of the anterior cerebral artery (ACA) was investigated using transcutaneous Doppler technique in ten preterm infants with posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus (PHH), before and after drainage of cerebrospinal fluid. The pulsatility index of the ACA was elevated during PHH, mainly due to an increase of peak systolic flow velocity, explained by an increased compliance of the vascular wall. The end diastolic flow velocity and the area under the velocity curve were not different before and after drainage, indicating that cerebrovascular resistance was not changed and blood flow through the ACA was not affected in the studied infants during PHH.