Fetal middle cerebral arterial peak systolic velocity
The fetal middle cerebral arterial (MCA) peak systolic velocity (PSV) is an important parameter in fetal MCA Doppler assessment.
Sonographic assessment
The fetal MCA should be sampled~2 mm from the origin of the fetal internal carotid artery and the angle of the ultrasound beam and the direction of blood flow should be 0°. Usually the highest value is taken.
Interpretation
- reliable between 18-35 weeks
- increased PSV can indicate moderate-to-severe anemia in non-hydrops fetuses 4
See also
- automatic online fetal MCA PSV calculator as of 2011 from www.perinatology.com
Related Radiopaedia articles
Ultrasound - obstetric
- ultrasound (introduction)
- obstetric ultrasound
- first trimester and early pregnancy
- ectopic pregnancy
- multiple gestations
- subchorionic hematoma
- failed early pregnancy
-
second trimester
- fetal biometry
- fetal morphology assessment
- fetal echocardiography views
- non-visualization of the fetal stomach
-
soft markers
- nuchal fold thickness
- ventriculomegaly
- absent nasal bone
- choroid plexus cysts
- enlarged cisterna magna
- shortened fetal long bones
- echogenic intracardiac focus (EIF)
- echogenic fetal bowel
- aberrant right subclavian artery
- fetal pyelectasis / fetal renal pelvic dilatation
- single umbilical artery
- sandal gap toes
- amnioreduction
- Doppler ultrasound
- nuchal translucency
- 11-13 weeks antenatal scan
- chorionic villus sampling (CVS) and amniocentesis
- placenta
- other
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