Peripartum changes in maternal cerebral blood flow velocity in normotensive and preeclamptic patients.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effect of delivery on cerebral blood flow velocity between normotensive and preeclamptic women, adjusting for mode of delivery and change in hematocrit values.

METHODS

Twenty-three normotensive and 46 preeclamptic women had maternal middle cerebral blood flow velocity assessed antepartum and at 24 and 48 hours postpartum. In addition, hematocrit changes and method of delivery were recorded. We then compared the effect of delivery on cerebral blood flow velocity changes using analysis of variance with Student t test for significance.

RESULTS

Cerebral blood flow velocity was significantly higher in preeclamptic than in normotensive women (P < .05) and rose significantly in the postpartum period (P < .004). Neither hematocrit change nor mode of delivery affected cerebral blood flow velocity changes.

CONCLUSION

Cerebral blood flow velocity showed minimal peripartum changes in the normotensive group but increased significantly postpartum in preeclamptic women in a setting of minimal arterial pressure change.