Research Progress of Doppler Ultrasound in the Measurement of the Fetal Middle Cerebral Artery Blood Flow in High-Risk Pregnancy

Abstract

Fetal middle cerebral artery(MCA) blood supply to the brain hemisphere is the most abundant blood vessel, accounting for approximately 70% of the brain tissue for hemoperfusion(HP), which can reflect the dynamic changes in fetal cerebral circulation. Embryonic development, gradual development of fetal brain blood vessels, diameter thickening, vascular resistance decreased, brain size increases in normal pregnancy with the increase of the gestational age, the blood supply and demand oxygen will increase gradually. The impedance index with the increase of gestational age showed a decreasing trend; but in high-risk pregnancies will show a different variation. Doppler ultrasound can detect this change after 14 weeks of pregnancy, which chosen when high-risk pregnancy occurs are safe, non-invasive to mother and fetal, thereby reducing the umbilical vein and amniotic puncture. Obstetric Doppler ultrasound play an important role in the evaluation of fetal safety. This research focused on Doppler ultrasound in the measurement of the fetal MCA blood flow in high-risk pregnancy. Key words: Doppler ultrasound; fetal middle cerebral artery; research progress