INTRACERVICAL PROSTAGLANDIN-E(2) IS ASSOCIATED WITH INCREASED PULSATILITY IN FETAL CEREBRAL VESSELS

Objective: To find out whether intracervical administration of prostag landin E2 is associated with changes in fetal cerebral Doppler flow ve locity waveforms. Methods: Twenty-three patients received 0.5 mg prost aglandin E2 intracervically for preinduction cervical ripening. Dopple r flow velocity waveforms were recorded from the umbilical artery, int ernal carotid artery, and middle cerebral artery immediately before an d 40-60 min after prostaglandin administration. Student's t-test was u sed for statistical analysis of pulsatility index values. Results: Mea n pulsatility index was elevated in the internal carotid artery from 1 .31 +/- 0.17 to 1.0 +/- 0.29 (P < 0.01) and in the middle cerebral art ery from 1.64 +/- 0.15 to 1.86 +/- 0.20 (P < 0.001). No significant ch ange was found for the umbilical artery. Conclusion: The findings sugg est increased cerebrovascular resistance following intracervical prost aglandin E2 therapy.