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.
Measurement
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 peak systolic velocity (PSV) 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 from www.perinatology.com (c. 2011)
Related Radiopaedia articles
Ultrasound - obstetric
- ultrasound (introduction)
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- first trimester and early pregnancy
- ectopic pregnancy
- multiple gestations
- subchorionic hematoma
- failed early pregnancy
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second trimester
- fetal biometry
- fetal morphology assessment
- fetal echocardiography views
- non-visualization of the fetal stomach
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soft markers
- nuchal fold thickness
- ventriculomegaly
- absent nasal bone
- choroid plexus cysts
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- echogenic intracardiac focus (EIF)
- echogenic fetal bowel
- aberrant right subclavian artery
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- sandal gap toes
- amnioreduction
- Doppler ultrasound
- nuchal translucency
- 11-13 weeks antenatal scan
- chorionic villus sampling (CVS) and amniocentesis
- placenta
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