Vein of Galen aneurysmal malformation (VGAM) is a rare, congenital cerebrovascular malformation with high morbidity and mortality.

Parameters to foresee clinical progression and allow individualized parent counseling are lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate aortic steal measured by Doppler ultrasound as a prognostic parameter in these neonates.

A retrospective monocentric analysis of cardiac ultrasound exams before embolization in neonates with VGAM was conducted.

Percentage of aortic steal measured by time-averaged maximum velocity above and below the zero flow baseline by pulsed Doppler ultrasound at the preductal aortic isthmus was calculated.

Association of aortic steal with parameters of acute organ dysfunction (Bicêtre neonatal evaluation score [BNES], neonatal multiple organ dysfunction score [NeoMODS]) and mortality and determination of correlation between aortic steal and cerebral damage on initial and follow-up cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI) were evaluated.