[Normal Doppler ultrasound values of the anterior cerebral artery of premature and newborn infants with reference to cardiac function parameters and intestinal blood flow profile].

BACKGROUND: Hemodynamic impairements play an important role in the development of cerebral lesions. These changes may be detected by dopplersonographic flow measurements in cerebral arteries. For that reason it is necessary to establish normal values in relation to cardiac function and intestinal perfusion.

METHODS & PATIENTS: 62 neonates with uncomplicated postnatal adaptation were investigated by dopplersonographic measurements of ant. cerebral artery (ACA) at the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 5th day of life. Relations to left ventricular ejection time (LVET) and systemic blood pressure were described. An index of parameters from ACA and sup. mesenteric artery was determined.

RESULTS: We demonstrated a significant increase of flow velocities and a decrease of pulsatility index in relation to increased gestational and postnatal age. There was a positive correlation between LVET and systemic blood pressure to peak flow velocities and a negative correlation to pulsatility index. The index of the parameters from ACA to sup. mesenteric artery was not depended on gestational age. The index of the flow velocities of both arteries increased from first to fifth day of life, whereas the index of the pulsatility index decreased.

CONCLUSION: With these results it is possible to evaluate cerebral hemodynamic changes by dopplersonographic measurements in relation to gestational and postnatal age and under consideration of cardiac function and mesenteric perfusion.