Kontopoulos EV, Quintero RA Assessment of the peak systolic velocity of the middle cerebral artery in twin-twin transfusion syndrome. Part I: preoperative assessment. [Journal Article] Am J Obstet Gynecol 2009 Jan; 200(1):61.e1-5.
OBJECTIVE: We sought to assess the incidence of an elevated peak systolic velocity of the middle cerebral artery (MCA-PSV) in twin-twin transfusion syndrome prior to laser surgery and its prognostic value for intrauterine fetal demise 24 hours after surgery (IUFD-24). STUDY DESIGN: An elevated MCA-PSV was defined as a velocity > .5 multiples of the median by transabdominal pulsed Doppler. Gestational age, Quintero stage, and number and/or type of placental vascular anastomoses were assessed as risk factors for an elevated MCA-PSV. Risk of IUFD-24 was assessed relative to an elevated MCA-PSV. RESULTS: An elevated MCA-PSV was present in 4.2% of donors, 3.2% of recipients (P = .5), and 1.5% of both twins in 189 patients with twin-twin transfusion syndrome. An elevated MCA-PSV was unrelated to gestational age, stage, and number or type of anastomoses. An elevated MCA-PSV in the recipient twin was associated with an increased risk of IUFD-24 of this fetus (P = .01). CONCLUSIONS: An elevated MCA-PSV is present in < 5% of donor and recipient twins. An elevated MCA-PSV is a risk factor for IUFD-24 of the recipient twin.
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