Blood flow parameters of posterior cerebral artery in normal pregnancy during middle and late stage

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To study the blood flow parameters for 2 anatomical segments of posterior cerebral artery (PCA) in normal singleton fetal. Methods: The blood flow velocity parameters peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV), time-average maximum velocity (TAMAXV), velocity time integral (VTI) and resistance parameters systolic peak velocity and end diastolic velocity ratio (S/D), pulsatility index (PI), resistance index (RI) for 2 anatomical segments in PCA were recorded. The first segment of the PCA (PCAS1) was recorded between the origin of PCA and the proximal part of the posterior communicating artery. The second segment of the PCA (PCAS2) was recorded at the distal part of the posterior communicating artery. The blood parameters in both PCAS1 and PCAS2 were analyzed by using Pearson correlation and multiple curves fitting with gestational age (GA). Paired student's t test was performed to compare the difference in blood parameter between PCAS1 and PCAS2. Results: The blood flow velocity parameters in both PCAS1 and PCAS2 were increased with the GA (P<0.0001), with the best fitted curves of Quadratic curve (P<0.0001). There were no correlations between resistance parameters in PCA and GA (P>0.05). Resistance parameters in PCAS1 were higher than those in PCAS2 (P<0.05). Conclusion: The blood flow velocity parameters in both PCAS1 and PCAS2 are increased with GA. The resistance parameters in both PCAS1 and PCAS2 do not change with GA. Study on the velocities and resistance in these 3 arterial branches provides a more comprehensive evaluation on the process of brain circulation.