Fetal Middle Cerebral Artery Doppler Waveforms in Twin–Twin Transfusion Syndrome

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the fetal middle cerebral artery (MCA) Doppler waveforms in growth-retarded twin fetuses with (n = 11) and without (n = 24) twin–twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). Umbilical artery (UA) and fetal MCA Doppler velocity waveforms were recorded on admission. The mean values of the UA pulsatility index (PI) of smaller twin fetuses with and without TTTS were significantly higher than those of normal singleton pregnancies. The mean values of the MCA PI of smaller twin fetuses in the TTTS group (+0.7 ± 1 SD) were significantly higher than those of normal singleton pregnancies on admission, and these levels did not markedly change following amniocentesis. On the other hand, the values of the MCA of the growth-retarded fetuses without TTTS (–0.9 ± 1 SD) were significantly lower than those of normal singleton pregnancies. Our findings suggest that measurement of fetal MCA PI is a useful method to assess growth-retarded fetuses in monochorionic twin pregnancies.