Pulsatility index change of brachial artery shows better reproducibility than flow-mediated vasodilation.

We aim to evaluate intra- and interobserver reproducibility of brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and of pulsatility index change (PI-C) 1 min after a 5-min forearm compression in pregnant women. Flow-mediated dilation and PI-C were assessed in 31 healthy pregnant women in 3 consecutive days, by two observers. A broader range of response to the stimulus was observed for PI-C (-58.

Influence of pregnancy and smoking on brachial artery flow-mediated dilation values and time until maximum response.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of pregnancy and smoking on endothelial function using brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and to determine the time necessary until the occurrence of maximum brachial artery dilation after stimulus.

Methods: This study was an observational study evaluating 133 women, who were grouped as follows: non-smoking pregnant women (N = 47), smoking pregnant women (N = 33), non-smoking women (N = 34), and smoking pregnant women (N = 19). The diameter of the brachial artery was measured at baseline and at 30, 60, 90 and 120 s after stimulus.

Evaluation of ductus venosus and inferior vena cava by using multiple Doppler ultrasound parameters in healthy fetuses.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to describe multiple Doppler ultrasound parameters of ductus venosus and inferior vena cava in fetuses at gestational ages ranging from 22 to 38 weeks.

Study Design: In this prospective observational study, Doppler ultrasound exams were performed in 45 healthy fetuses at 22, 26, 34, and 38 weeks. Maximum venous velocity, minimum venous velocity, venous pulsatility index, and venous acceleration time (VAT) (defined as the time between minimum and maximum venous velocity) were evaluated at those gestational periods.