ABNORMAL CEREBRAL HEMODYNAMICS IN PREGNANCY-RELATED HYPERTENSIVE ENCEPHALOPATHY

A patient with an imminent pregnancy-related hypertensive encephalopat hy is presented in whom transcranial Doppler ultrasound studies reveal ed increased middle cerebral artery blood flow velocities before and u p to 7 days after cesarean section. These increased velocities are nor mally caused by cerebral vasospasm and subsequent hypoperfusion in pre gnancy-related hypertensive encephalopathy. Additional duplex volume f low studies of the common carotid artery were in favor of cerebral hyp erperfusion as a cause of the increased blood flow velocities. The cli nical implications of these findings are discussed.