Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Cardiotocography”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Cardiotocography only versus cardiotocography plus PR-interval analysis in intrapartum surveillance: a randomised, multicentre trial. FECG Study Group.

BACKGROUND: There is a need to improve the sensitivity and specificity of fetal monitoring during labour. We compared the gold standard, cardiotocography, with cardiotocography plus time-interval analysis of the fetal electrocardiogram in fetal surveillance. The aim was to find out whether time-interval analysis decreased the need for operative intervention due to fetal distress. METHODS: We did a randomised, prospective trial in five hospitals in the UK, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, and Singapore. 1038 women undergoing high-risk labours were randomly assigned fetal monitoring by cardiotocography alone, or cardiotocography plus fetal electrocardiography (ECG). Outcomes measured were rates of operative intervention, and neonatal outcome. Analysis was by intention to treat. FINDINGS: 515 women were assigned management by cardiotocography, and 523 cardiotocography plus fetal ECG. There was a trend towards fewer operative interventions for presumed fetal distress in the time-interval analysis plus cardiotocography group (63 [13%] vs 78 [16%]), but this was not significant (relative risk 0.80 [95% CI 0.59-1.08], p=0.17). There was no significant difference between groups in the proportion of babies who had an umbilical arterial pH of 7.15 or less (51 [11%] vs 49 [11%]; 1.01 [0.7-1.47]), or in the frequency of unsuspected acidaemia (42 [9%] vs 35 [8%]; 1.17 [0.76-1.79]). INTERPRETATION: The addition of time-interval analysis of the fetal electrocardiogram during labour did not show a significant benefit in decreasing operative intervention. There was no significant difference in neonatal outcome.

Cardiotocography↗

Cardiotocography only versus cardiotocography plus ST analysis of fetal electrocardiogram for intrapartum fetal monitoring: a Swedish randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies indicate that analysis of the ST waveform of the fetal electrocardiogram provides information on the fetal response to hypoxia. We did a multicentre randomised controlled trial to test the hypothesis that intrapartum monitoring with cardiotocography combined with automatic ST-waveform analysis results in an improved perinatal outcome compared with cardiotocography alone. METHODS: At three Swedish labour wards, 4966 women with term fetuses in the cephalic presentation entered the trial during labour after a clinical decision had been made to apply a fetal scalp electrode for internal cardiotocography. They were randomly assigned monitoring with cardiotocography plus ST analysis (CTG+ST group) or cardiotocography only (CTG group). The main outcome measure was rate of umbilical-artery metabolic acidosis (pH <7.05 and base deficit >12 mmol/L). Secondary outcomes included operative delivery for fetal distress. Results were first analysed according to intention to treat, and secondly after exclusion of cases with severe malformations or with inadequate monitoring. FINDINGS: The CTG+ST group showed significantly lower rates of umbilical-artery metabolic acidosis than the cardiotocography group (15 of 2159 [0.7%] vs 31 of 2079 [2%], relative risk 0.47 [95% CI 0.25-0.86], p=0.02) and of operative delivery for fetal distress (193 of 2519 [8%] vs 227 of 2447 [9%], 0.83 [0.69-0.99], p=0.047) when all cases were included according to intention to treat. The differences were more pronounced after exclusion of 291 in the CTG+ST group and 283 in the CTG group with malformations or inadequate recording. INTERPRETATION: Intrapartum monitoring with cardiotocography combined with automatic ST-waveform analysis increases the ability of obstetricians to identify fetal hypoxia and to intervene more appropriately, resulting in an improved perinatal outcome.

Acidosis↗

Current status of intrapartum fetal monitoring: cardiotocography versus cardiotocography + ST analysis of the fetal ECG.

Two randomized controlled trials (RCT) on intrapartum fetal monitoring with cardiotocography (CTG) only versus CTG combined with automatic ST segment waveform analysis of the fetal ECG have been performed. In altogether 6826 randomized cases, the odds ratio for operative delivery for fetal distress (ODFD) was 0.65 (95% confidence interval 0.53-0.78) and for metabolic acidosis at birth 0.39 (0.21-0.72), in favor of the CTG+ST method. CTG combined with ST analysis increases the ability of obstetricians to identify fetal hypoxia and to intervene more appropriately, resulting in an improved perinatal outcome.

Cardiotocography↗

Predictive values of umbilical artery waveforms and repeat cardiotocography in pregnancies complicated by nonreactive cardiotocography.

Fifty patients with a nonreactive nonstress cardiotocograph were studied. All had measurement of the A/B ratio of the umbilical artery Doppler waveform and 39 also had a repeat nonstress test. The positive and negative predictive values of the repeat nonstress test were 61% and 94%, respectively, and those of the A/B ratio were 67% and 83%. A repeat nonreactive nonstressed cardiotocograph appeared to be a test of high sensitivity (92%) and the A/B ratio a test of high specificity (83%). It is suggested that the combination of the two tests may prove a powerful predictor of adverse perinatal outcome.

Blood Flow Velocity↗

Beat-to-beat detection of fetal heart rate: Doppler ultrasound cardiotocography compared to direct ECG cardiotocography in time and frequency domain.

In order to obtain power spectral information on the fetal heart rate in stages of pregnancy earlier than labor an algorithm has been developed to calculate the fetal heart rate on a beat-to-beat basis from Doppler ultrasound cardiotocographic signals. The algorithm was evaluated by comparing the calculated fetal heart rate with the heart rate determined from direct ECG signals measured with a scalp electrode. Heart rates were compared both in time and frequency domain. In the time domain the results achieved by both methods correlate well (correlation coefficient = 0.977 (p < 0.001)), in the frequency domain the results correlate even better (correlation coefficient = 0.991 (p < 0.001)). Based on these findings, it can be concluded that the developed algorithm provides a valuable tool for obtaining power spectral information on the fetal heart rate in stages of pregnancy earlier than labor.

Cardiotocography↗

[External cardiotocography in movement. Autocorrelation technic, an initial step for external telemetric cardiotocography?].

Ultrasonocardiograms with autocorrelation technique were registered in 60 women from 24th to 41th week of pregnancy. Registration was first done in lying position for 10 minutes, then for another 10-20 minutes in sitting position, thereafter in standing position and finally during walking around. The registration quality was good with rare gaps: median range of gaptime 1-3, 6% in the lying, 0-6% in the sitting, 0-4% in the standing and 1.8-6.4% in the walking patient. Fitting corrections of the transducer were needed nearly only when changing from lying to sitting position. In 18 parturients external ultrasonocardiography in autocorrelation technique and telemetric direct fECG-cardiography gave nearly identical registrations.

Computers↗

Admission cardiotocography: a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Admission cardiotocography is widely used to identify pregnancies that might benefit from continuous electronic fetal monitoring in labour. We aimed to compare the effect on neonatal outcome of admission cardiotocography versus intermittent auscultation of the fetal heart rate. METHODS: 8580 women admitted to the delivery ward of a Dublin teaching hospital who were at low risk of fetal distress in labour were randomly assigned admission cardiotocography (20 min) or the unit's usual care (intermittent auscultation only, with continuous cardiotocography only if clinically indicated). The primary outcome was moderate to severe neonatal morbidity, or perinatal mortality in the absence of a major congenital malformation. Analyses were by intention to treat. FINDINGS: 44 (1.0%) women assigned admission cardiotocography did not undergo the procedure; 15 (0.4%) assigned usual care had admission cardiotocography. The primary endpoint occurred in 56 (1.3%) of 4298 women assigned admission cardiotocography and 55 (1.3%) of 4282 in the usual-care group (relative risk 1.01; 95% CI 0.70-1.47). Other indices of neonatal morbidity also showed no differences. Despite an increase in use of continuous cardiotocography (1.39; 1.33-1.45) and fetal blood sampling (1.30; 1.14-1.47) with admission cardiotocography, there were no significant differences in the rates of caesarean delivery (1.13; 0.92-1.40), instrumental delivery (1.03; 0.92-1.16), or episiotomy (1.06; 0.99-1.13). INTERPRETATION: Routine use of cardiotocography for 20 min on admission to the delivery ward does not improve neonatal outcome. No significant increase in operative delivery was apparent, probably because of liberal use of fetal blood sampling.

Apgar Score↗

Cardiotocography for antepartum fetal assessment.

BACKGROUND: Cardiotocography is a form of fetal assessment which simultaneously records fetal heart rate, fetal movements and uterine contractions to investigate hypoxia. OBJECTIVES: The objective was to assess the effects of antenatal cardiotocography on perinatal morbidity and mortality and maternal morbidity. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group trials register and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (to 1 November 1998). SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised trials comparing antenatal cardiotocography with a control group for fetal assessment. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Trial quality was assessed. MAIN RESULTS: Four studies involving 1,588 pregnancies were included. All trials were conducted on high or intermediate risk pregnancies. Antenatal cardiotocography appeared to have no significant effect on perinatal mortality or morbidity. There was a trend to an increase in perinatal deaths in the cardiotocography group (odds ratio 2.85, 95% confidence interval 0.99 to 7.12). There was no increase in the incidence of interventions such as elective caesarean section or induction of labour. The one trial which examined an effect on antenatal patient management showed a significant reduction in hospital admissions and a reduction in inpatient stay in the cardiotocography group. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: There is not enough evidence to evaluate the use of antenatal cardiotocography for fetal assessment. All of the trials included in this review date from the introduction of antenatal cardiotocography and may be difficult to relate to current practice.

Cardiotocography↗

Continuous cardiotocography (CTG) as a form of electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) for fetal assessment during labour.

BACKGROUND: Cardiotocography (sometimes known as electronic fetal monitoring), records changes in the fetal heart rate and their temporal relationship to uterine contractions. The aim is to identify babies who may be short of oxygen (hypoxic), so additional assessments of fetal well-being may be used, or the baby delivered by caesarean section or instrumental vaginal birth. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of continuous cardiotocography during labour. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group Trials Register (March 2006), CENTRAL (The Cochrane Library 2005, Issue 4), MEDLINE (1966 to December 2005), EMBASE (1974 to December 2005), Dissertation Abstracts (1980 to December 2005) and the National Research Register (December 2005). SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised and quasi-randomised controlled trials involving a comparison of continuous cardiotocography (with and without fetal blood sampling) with (a) no fetal monitoring, (b) intermittent auscultation (c) intermittent cardiotocography. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two authors independently assessed eligibility, quality and extracted data. MAIN RESULTS: Twelve trials were included (over 37,000 women); only two were high quality. Compared to intermittent auscultation, continuous cardiotocography showed no significant difference in overall perinatal death rate (relative risk (RR) 0.85, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.59 to 1.23, n = 33,513, 11 trials), but was associated with a halving of neonatal seizures (RR 0.50, 95% CI 0.31 to 0.80, n = 32,386, nine trials) although no significant difference was detected in cerebral palsy (RR 1.74, 95% CI 0.97 to 3.11, n = 13,252, two trials). There was a significant increase in caesarean sections associated with continuous cardiotocography (RR 1.66, 95% CI 1.30 to 2.13, n =18,761, 10 trials). Women were also more likely to have an instrumental vaginal birth (RR 1.16, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.32, n = 18,151, nine trials). Data for subgroups of low-risk, high-risk, preterm pregnancies and high quality trials were consistent with overall results. Access to fetal blood sampling did not appear to influence the difference in neonatal seizures nor any other prespecified outcome. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Continuous cardiotocography during labour is associated with a reduction in neonatal seizures, but no significant differences in cerebral palsy, infant mortality or other standard measures of neonatal well-being. However, continuous cardiotocography was associated with an increase in caesarean sections and instrumental vaginal births. The real challenge is how best to convey this uncertainty to women to enable them to make an informed choice without compromising the normality of labour.

Cardiotocography↗

[FBA and/or CTG: fetal blood analysis and/or cardiotocography].

"The Ranking and Value of Intrapartum Cardiotocography--A Contribution to the Efficiency of the Method", and "Overrating of Cardiotocography and Negative Clinical Effects", two round-table discussions on specialist congresses during 1982/1983, prompted a controversial discussion on the subject: Intensive Care during Pregnancy and Delivery via FBA (foetal blood analysis) and/or CTG (cardiotocography)? In two recently published papers originating from the working team of Professor Saling, Hammacher's score was used as measure for assessing the value of cardiotocography. Hence, the author has been both prompted and challenged to this editorial not only as the inaugurator, but also as "interpretative acrobat" of cardiotocography. In his opinion, the overrated use of FBA represents an additional risk to the foetus due to possible compressions of the umbilical cord--placenta circulation because of the artificial rupture of the membranes which is often necessary when performing FBA. He pleads for preserving the "padding" provided by the amniotic fluid, by employing external cardiotocography--monitoring via the reliable beat-to-beat autocorrelation technique--while retaining the amniotic sack.

Acidosis↗

Comparison of umbilical-artery velocimetry and cardiotocography for surveillance of small-for-gestational-age fetuses.

Intrauterine growth retardation is associated with an increased risk of fetal asphyxia as well as greater perinatal morbidity and mortality. Ultrasound fetometry enables detection of fetuses that are small for gestational age. Doppler velocimetry of the umbilical artery has good predictive ability for fetal distress, but it is not yet clear whether it could replace cardiotocography in antenatal surveillance of small-for-gestational-age fetuses. We have done a randomised comparison of the two methods. At four obstetric departments in Sweden, women with fetuses found to be small on ultrasound examination at 31 completed weeks of pregnancy or later were randomly assigned to antenatal surveillance with either doppler velocimetry (doppler; 214) or cardiotocography (CTG; 212). Pregnancies in the doppler group were managed according to a protocol based on blood-flow classes deriving from the semiquantitative evaluation of umbilical-artery velocity waveforms; unless the pregnancy was complicated by any other disorder, no antenatal cardiotocography was done. By comparison with the CTG group, the doppler group had fewer monitoring occasions (mean 4.1 [SD 3.1] vs 8.2 [6.2], p < 0.01), antenatal hospital admissions (68 [31.3%] vs 97 [45.8%], p < 0.01), inductions of labour (22 [10.3%] vs 46 [21.7%], p < 0.01), emergency caesarean sections for fetal distress (11 [5.1] vs 30 [14.2%], p < 0.01), and admissions to neonatal intensive care (76 [35.5%] vs 92 [43.4%], p = 0.10). The groups did not differ in gestational age at birth, birthweight, Apgar scores, or total number of caesarean deliveries. Umbilical-artery doppler velocimetry of small-for-gestational-age fetuses allows antenatal monitoring and obstetric interventions to be aimed more precisely than does cardiotocography.

Adolescent↗

Randomised controlled trial of cardiotocography versus Doppler auscultation of fetal heart at admission in labour in low risk obstetric population.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of admission cardiotocography and Doppler auscultation of the fetal heart on neonatal outcome and levels of obstetric intervention in a low risk obstetric population. DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial. SETTING: Obstetric unit of teaching hospital PARTICIPANTS: Pregnant women who had no obstetric complications that warranted continuous monitoring of fetal heart rate in labour. INTERVENTION: Women were randomised to receive either cardiotocography or Doppler auscultation of the fetal heart when they were admitted in spontaneous uncomplicated labour. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measure was umbilical arterial metabolic acidosis. Secondary outcome measures included other measures of condition at birth and obstetric intervention. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the incidence of metabolic acidosis or any other measure of neonatal outcome among women who remained at low risk when they were admitted in labour. However, compared with women who received Doppler auscultation, women who had admission cardiotocography were significantly more likely to have continuous fetal heart rate monitoring in labour (odds ratio 1.49, 95% confidence interval 1.26 to 1.76), augmentation of labour (1.26, 1.02 to 1.56), epidural analgesia (1.33, 1.10 to 1.61), and operative delivery (1.36, 1.12 to 1.65). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with Doppler auscultation of the fetal heart, admission cardiotocography does not benefit neonatal outcome in low risk women. Its use results in increased obstetric intervention, including operative delivery.

Acidosis↗

Nonstressed antepartum cardiotocography in patients undergoing elective cesarean section--fetal outcome.

In a prospective study of 409 patients monitored with nonstressed antepartum cardiotocography and delivered by elective cesarean section, cardiotocography was requested for 170 because of clinical indications. This group had higher incidences of abnormal cardiotocography (p less than 0.001), fetal growth retardation (p less than 0.001) and neonatal deaths (p less than 0.025) than had the group without such requests, suggesting that clinicians effectively selected the high-risk pregnancy for testing of fetal well-being. Cardiotocographic evidence of critical reserve was found in 17 of 170 patients (10%) tested for a clinical indication and in none of the 239 patients in the control group. Patients with abnormal cardiotocography results had significantly higher incidences of cord arterial blood pH less than 7.26 (p less than 0.05) and Apgar scores of less than 6 at 1 minute (p less than 0.001), showing that an abnormal cardiotocogram is indicative of a fetus at risk of having hypoxia.

Apgar Score↗

Randomised controlled trial of cardiotocography versus umbilical artery Doppler in the management of small for gestational age fetuses.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the impact on use of resources in the management of small for gestational age babies using Doppler ultrasound versus cardiotocography. DESIGN: A randomised controlled trial. SETTING: A large district general hospital delivering 5500 to 6000 infants each year, 30% to 35% of which are to women of Pakistani origin. POPULATION: One hundred and fifty women delivered of small for gestational age infants. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome measures were length of hospital inpatient stay and induction of labour rates. Secondary outcome measures included caesarean section rates and length of stay on neonatal unit. RESULTS: The use of Doppler reduced average hospital inpatient stay from 2.5 days to 1.1 days, compared with cardiotocography (P = 0.036). There was no effect on induction of labour rates or caesarean section rates. There was no significant difference in length of stay on the neonatal unit (P = 0.33). There was a reduction in monitoring frequency and fewer hospital antenatal clinic visits. CONCLUSION: The use of Doppler ultrasound to manage small for gestational age infants reduces the use of resources, compared with cardiotocography.

Cardiotocography↗

Cost-effectiveness of home telemedical cardiotocography compared with traditional outpatient monitoring.

We compared the cost of passive sensor telemedical non-stress cardiotocography performed at home and the same test performed by traditional equipment in an outpatient clinic in the Budapest area. The costs were calculated using two years' registered budget data from the home monitoring service in Budapest and the outpatient clinic of the department of obstetrics and gynaecology at the Haynal Imre University of Health Sciences. The traditional test at the university outpatient clinic cost 3652 forint for the health-care and 1000 forint in additional expenses for the patient (travel and time off work). This means that the total cost for each test in the clinic was 4652 forint. The cost of home telemedical cardiotocography was 1500 forint per test, but each test took 2.1 times as long. For a more realistic comparison between the two methods, we adjusted the cost to take account of the extra length of time that home monitoring required. The adjusted cost for home care was 3150 forint, some 32% lower than in the clinic. Passive sensor telemedical non-stress cardiotocography at home was therefore less expensive than the same test performed in the traditional way in an outpatient clinic.

Ambulatory Care↗

Fetal distress: role of cardiotocography.

The FHR monitoring in 320 patients with fetal distress were randomly analyzed and revised over 16 years. The aim of our study, in so long a period, was to evaluate the role of cardiotocography in order to preserve the fetus from irreversible damage. The results show a progressive improvement of neonatal outcome, due to the development of the experience with this method, and to the improvement in interpretative criteria. However, cardiotocography showed its limits, and the moment has come to seek new integrative methods to associate cardiotocography with a continuous monitoring of the fetal status.

Adult↗