Fetal heart rate (FHR) decelerations are the commonest aberrant feature on cardiotocograph (CTG) thus having a major influence on classification ofFHRpatterns into the three tier system. The unexplained paradox of ear...Fetal heart rate (FHR) decelerations are the commonest aberrant feature on cardiotocograph (CTG) thus having a major influence on classification ofFHRpatterns into the three tier system. The unexplained paradox of early decelerations (head compression—an invariable phenomenon in labor) being extremely rare [1] should prompt a debate about scientific validity of current categorization. This paper demonstrates that there appear to be major fallacies in the pathophysiological hypothesis (cord compression—baroreceptor mechanism) underpinning of vast majority of (variable?) decelerations. Rapid decelerations during contractions with nadir matching peak of contractions are consistent with “pure” vagal reflex (head compression) rather than result of fetal blood pressure or oxygenation changes from cord compression. Hence, many American authors have reported that the abrupt FHR decelerations attributed to cord compression are actually due to head compression [2-6]. The paper debates if there are major fundamental fallacies in current categorization of FHR decelerations based concomitantly on rate of descent (reflecting putative aetiology?) and time relationship to contractions. Decelerations with consistently early timing (constituting majority) seem to get classed as “variable” because of rapid descent. A distorted unscientific categorization of FHR decelerations could lead to clinically unhelpful three tier classification system. Hence, the current unphysiological classification needs a fresh debate with consideration of alternative models and re-evaluation of clinical studies to test these. Open debate improves patient care and safety. The clue to benign reflex versus hypoxic nature of decelerations seems to be in the timing rather than the rate of descent. Although the likelihood of fetal hypxemia is related to depth and duration ofFHRdecelerations, the cut-offs are likely to be different for early/late/variable decelerations and it seems to be of paramount importance to get this discrimination right for useful visual or computerized system of CTG interpretation.展开更多
Objective: To test the reproducibility of British experts’ (eFM, K2MS, Gibb and Arulkumaran) [1-3] illustrations of fetal heart rate (FHR) decelerations by trained British Obstetricians and midwives. To analyze reaso...Objective: To test the reproducibility of British experts’ (eFM, K2MS, Gibb and Arulkumaran) [1-3] illustrations of fetal heart rate (FHR) decelerations by trained British Obstetricians and midwives. To analyze reasons for any discrepancies by examining factors relating to the participants, British experts’ descriptions and NICE guidelines [4]. Design: Prospective observational study. Setting: National Health Service (NHS) Hospitals. Participants: 38 Obstetric Consultants, 49 registrars and 45 midwives. Methods: Printed questionnaire. Statistical Analysis: Fisher’s Exact test. Results: This largest study of its kind showed almost unbelievably high disconnect between CTG interpretation by experts and participants. 98% - 100% midwives, 80% - 100% Registrars and 74% - 100% Consultants categorized FHR decelerations differently from the five experts’ illustrations/interpretations (p < 0.0001). Remarkably, the three experts’ illustrations of early (supposedly most benign) decelerations were classed as atypical variable by 56% Consultants, 78% Registrars and 99% midwives and the CTGs as pathological by 85% of the participants. Conclusions: The high degree of disagreement with the experts’ illustrations (p < 0.0001) did not appear to be due to participant factors. The immediate reasons seemed to be the conflicting illustrations and heterogeneity of experts’ descriptions. But most importantly, these appeared to stem from non-standardized ambiguous definitions of FHR decelerations and many intrinsic systemic flaws in the current NICE guidelines [4]. The NICE concept of “true uniform” (identical) early and late decelerations seems biologically implausible (a myth) and no examples can be found. Another myth seems to be that early and late decelerations should be gradual. Only very shallow decelerations will look “gradual” on the British CTG. These systemic flaws lead to dysfunctional CTG interpretation increasing intervention as well as impairing diagnosis of fetal hypoxemia. This is because the vast majority of FHR decelerations fall in a single heterogeneous “variable” group with many further classed as “atypical” (pathological) based on disproven and discredited criteria [5-7]. There is increasing evidence in USA that a system with variable decelerations as the majority is clinically unhelpful because of loss of information [5-9]. In the interest of patient care and safety, open debate is necessary regarding a better way forward. Classification of FHR decelerations based primarily and solely on time relationship to contractions appears more scientific and clinically useful.展开更多
<strong>Introduction: </strong><span style="font-family:""><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Fetal heart rate monitoring during labor is used to study fetal well-being...<strong>Introduction: </strong><span style="font-family:""><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Fetal heart rate monitoring during labor is used to study fetal well-being and predict neonatal acidosis of newborn. Fetal heart rate monitoring is analyzed by the obstetrical team and categorized according to the FIGO guidelines. An important limitation of this diagnostic tool is an inter- and intra-observer variability, leading to subjective cardiotocography interpretation and classification. Our objective was to study the association between the categories of fetal heart rate analysis (according to FIGO classification) and neonatal acidosis of full-term newborns. </span><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Study design:</span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> This is a multicenter retrospective cohort study conducted between 2014 and 2018 in the Grand-Est region. We searched and included retrospectively children hospitalized in a pediatric intensive care unit in one of the participating hospitals with an ICD-10 coding type “P91.6” corresponding to “Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy”. Maternal, pregnancy, delivery, and newborn characteristics were collected and compared by univariate logistic regression with multiple imputation. Odds Ratio and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using the model and presented. Multiple imputation with m = 100 imputations was tested, using Rubin rules to combine the results. </span><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Results: </span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">55 patients were included in the study. Fetal heart rate tracings classified in Category 3 as “pathological” according to FIGO guidelines were significantly associated with an increased risk of severe neonatal acidosis. Late decelerations and bradycardia during labor were associated with severe neonatal acidosis. </span><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Conclusion:</span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> Severe neonatal acidosis may be suspected by interpretation of fetal heart rate during labor. Fetal bradycardia and late decelerations are predictive of the severity of neonatal acidosis. This study emphasizes the need to screen severe neonatal acidosis and allows the identification of populations most at risk. Repeated team training and upgrading of fetal heart rate study would further reduce the incidence of neonatal acidosis.</span></span>展开更多
BACKGROUND This study aimed to explore the possible etiology and treatment of severe fetal tachycardia in the absence of organic disease and provide a reference for clinical management of severe fetal tachycardia.CASE...BACKGROUND This study aimed to explore the possible etiology and treatment of severe fetal tachycardia in the absence of organic disease and provide a reference for clinical management of severe fetal tachycardia.CASE SUMMARY A 29-year-old pregnant woman,with a gravidity 1 parity 0,presented with a fetal heart rate(FHR)of 243 beats per minute during a routine antenatal examination at 31+2 wk of gestation.Before termination of pregnancy at 38 wk of gestation,the FHR repeatedly showed serious abnormalities,lasting more than 30 min.However,the pregnant woman and the fetus had no clinical symptoms,and repeated examination revealed no organic lesions.The mother and the baby were regularly followed up.CONCLUSION This was a case of severe fetal tachycardia with no organic lesions and management based on clinical experience.展开更多
This paper briefly introduces the collection and recognition of bio-medical sig nals, designs the method to collect FM signals. A detailed discussion on the sys tem hardware, structure and functions is also given. Und...This paper briefly introduces the collection and recognition of bio-medical sig nals, designs the method to collect FM signals. A detailed discussion on the sys tem hardware, structure and functions is also given. Under LabWindows/CVI,the ha rdware and the driver do compatible, the hardware equipment work properly active ly. The paper adopts multi threading technology for real-time analysis and make s use of latency time of CPU effectively, expedites program reflect speed, impro ve s the program to perform efficiency. One threading is collecting data; the other threading is analyzing data. Using the method, it is broaden to analyze the sig nal in real-time. Wavelet transform to remove the main interference in the FM a nd by adding time-window to recognize with BP network; Finally the results of c ollecting signals and BP networks are discussed.8 pregnant women’s signals of F M were collected successfully by using the sensor. The correct of BP network rec ognition is about 83.3% by using the above measure.展开更多
Intrapartum fetal monitoring has been criticized for the lack of evidence of improvement in fetal outcome despite causing increased operative intervention. Paradoxically, cardiotocography （CTG） has been a major driv...Intrapartum fetal monitoring has been criticized for the lack of evidence of improvement in fetal outcome despite causing increased operative intervention. Paradoxically, cardiotocography （CTG） has been a major driver for litigation for neonatal neurological injury. This analytical review tries to explore why extensive clinical studies and trials over 50 years have failed to demonstrate or bring about signifcant improvement in intrapartum fetal monitoring. There seems a need for significant reform. International congruence on most aspects of CTG interpretation [defnitions of fetal heart rate （FHR） parameters, CTG recording speed, 3-tier systems, etc .] is highly desirable to facilitate future meaningful clinical studies, evaluation and progress in this field. The FHR changes are non-specific and poor surrogate for fetal well-being. As a compromise for maintaining low false-negative results for fetal acidemia, a high false-positive value may have to be accepted. The need for redefning the place of adjuvant tests of fetal well-being like fetal blood sampling or fetal electrocardiography （ECG） is discussed. The FHR decelerations are often deterministic （center-stage） in CTG interpretation and 3-tier categorization. It is discussed if their scientifc and physiological classifcation （avoiding framing and confirmation biases） may be best based on time relationship to uterine contractions alone. This may provide a more sound foundation which could improve the reliability and further evolution of 3-tier systems. Results of several trials of fetal ECG （STAN） have been inconclusive and a need for a fresh approach or strategy is considered. It is hoped that the long anticipated Computer-aided analysis of CTG will be more objective and reliable （overcome human factors） and will offer valuable support or may eventually replace visual CTG interpretation. In any case, the recording and archiving all CTGs digitally and testing cord blood gases routinely in every delivery would be highly desirable for future research. This would facilitate well designed retrospective studies which can be very informative especially when prospective randomised controlled trials are often diffcult and resource-intensive.展开更多
文摘Fetal heart rate (FHR) decelerations are the commonest aberrant feature on cardiotocograph (CTG) thus having a major influence on classification ofFHRpatterns into the three tier system. The unexplained paradox of early decelerations (head compression—an invariable phenomenon in labor) being extremely rare [1] should prompt a debate about scientific validity of current categorization. This paper demonstrates that there appear to be major fallacies in the pathophysiological hypothesis (cord compression—baroreceptor mechanism) underpinning of vast majority of (variable?) decelerations. Rapid decelerations during contractions with nadir matching peak of contractions are consistent with “pure” vagal reflex (head compression) rather than result of fetal blood pressure or oxygenation changes from cord compression. Hence, many American authors have reported that the abrupt FHR decelerations attributed to cord compression are actually due to head compression [2-6]. The paper debates if there are major fundamental fallacies in current categorization of FHR decelerations based concomitantly on rate of descent (reflecting putative aetiology?) and time relationship to contractions. Decelerations with consistently early timing (constituting majority) seem to get classed as “variable” because of rapid descent. A distorted unscientific categorization of FHR decelerations could lead to clinically unhelpful three tier classification system. Hence, the current unphysiological classification needs a fresh debate with consideration of alternative models and re-evaluation of clinical studies to test these. Open debate improves patient care and safety. The clue to benign reflex versus hypoxic nature of decelerations seems to be in the timing rather than the rate of descent. Although the likelihood of fetal hypxemia is related to depth and duration ofFHRdecelerations, the cut-offs are likely to be different for early/late/variable decelerations and it seems to be of paramount importance to get this discrimination right for useful visual or computerized system of CTG interpretation.
文摘Objective: To test the reproducibility of British experts’ (eFM, K2MS, Gibb and Arulkumaran) [1-3] illustrations of fetal heart rate (FHR) decelerations by trained British Obstetricians and midwives. To analyze reasons for any discrepancies by examining factors relating to the participants, British experts’ descriptions and NICE guidelines [4]. Design: Prospective observational study. Setting: National Health Service (NHS) Hospitals. Participants: 38 Obstetric Consultants, 49 registrars and 45 midwives. Methods: Printed questionnaire. Statistical Analysis: Fisher’s Exact test. Results: This largest study of its kind showed almost unbelievably high disconnect between CTG interpretation by experts and participants. 98% - 100% midwives, 80% - 100% Registrars and 74% - 100% Consultants categorized FHR decelerations differently from the five experts’ illustrations/interpretations (p < 0.0001). Remarkably, the three experts’ illustrations of early (supposedly most benign) decelerations were classed as atypical variable by 56% Consultants, 78% Registrars and 99% midwives and the CTGs as pathological by 85% of the participants. Conclusions: The high degree of disagreement with the experts’ illustrations (p < 0.0001) did not appear to be due to participant factors. The immediate reasons seemed to be the conflicting illustrations and heterogeneity of experts’ descriptions. But most importantly, these appeared to stem from non-standardized ambiguous definitions of FHR decelerations and many intrinsic systemic flaws in the current NICE guidelines [4]. The NICE concept of “true uniform” (identical) early and late decelerations seems biologically implausible (a myth) and no examples can be found. Another myth seems to be that early and late decelerations should be gradual. Only very shallow decelerations will look “gradual” on the British CTG. These systemic flaws lead to dysfunctional CTG interpretation increasing intervention as well as impairing diagnosis of fetal hypoxemia. This is because the vast majority of FHR decelerations fall in a single heterogeneous “variable” group with many further classed as “atypical” (pathological) based on disproven and discredited criteria [5-7]. There is increasing evidence in USA that a system with variable decelerations as the majority is clinically unhelpful because of loss of information [5-9]. In the interest of patient care and safety, open debate is necessary regarding a better way forward. Classification of FHR decelerations based primarily and solely on time relationship to contractions appears more scientific and clinically useful.
文摘<strong>Introduction: </strong><span style="font-family:""><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Fetal heart rate monitoring during labor is used to study fetal well-being and predict neonatal acidosis of newborn. Fetal heart rate monitoring is analyzed by the obstetrical team and categorized according to the FIGO guidelines. An important limitation of this diagnostic tool is an inter- and intra-observer variability, leading to subjective cardiotocography interpretation and classification. Our objective was to study the association between the categories of fetal heart rate analysis (according to FIGO classification) and neonatal acidosis of full-term newborns. </span><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Study design:</span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> This is a multicenter retrospective cohort study conducted between 2014 and 2018 in the Grand-Est region. We searched and included retrospectively children hospitalized in a pediatric intensive care unit in one of the participating hospitals with an ICD-10 coding type “P91.6” corresponding to “Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy”. Maternal, pregnancy, delivery, and newborn characteristics were collected and compared by univariate logistic regression with multiple imputation. Odds Ratio and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using the model and presented. Multiple imputation with m = 100 imputations was tested, using Rubin rules to combine the results. </span><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Results: </span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">55 patients were included in the study. Fetal heart rate tracings classified in Category 3 as “pathological” according to FIGO guidelines were significantly associated with an increased risk of severe neonatal acidosis. Late decelerations and bradycardia during labor were associated with severe neonatal acidosis. </span><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Conclusion:</span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> Severe neonatal acidosis may be suspected by interpretation of fetal heart rate during labor. Fetal bradycardia and late decelerations are predictive of the severity of neonatal acidosis. This study emphasizes the need to screen severe neonatal acidosis and allows the identification of populations most at risk. Repeated team training and upgrading of fetal heart rate study would further reduce the incidence of neonatal acidosis.</span></span>
文摘BACKGROUND This study aimed to explore the possible etiology and treatment of severe fetal tachycardia in the absence of organic disease and provide a reference for clinical management of severe fetal tachycardia.CASE SUMMARY A 29-year-old pregnant woman,with a gravidity 1 parity 0,presented with a fetal heart rate(FHR)of 243 beats per minute during a routine antenatal examination at 31+2 wk of gestation.Before termination of pregnancy at 38 wk of gestation,the FHR repeatedly showed serious abnormalities,lasting more than 30 min.However,the pregnant woman and the fetus had no clinical symptoms,and repeated examination revealed no organic lesions.The mother and the baby were regularly followed up.CONCLUSION This was a case of severe fetal tachycardia with no organic lesions and management based on clinical experience.
文摘This paper briefly introduces the collection and recognition of bio-medical sig nals, designs the method to collect FM signals. A detailed discussion on the sys tem hardware, structure and functions is also given. Under LabWindows/CVI,the ha rdware and the driver do compatible, the hardware equipment work properly active ly. The paper adopts multi threading technology for real-time analysis and make s use of latency time of CPU effectively, expedites program reflect speed, impro ve s the program to perform efficiency. One threading is collecting data; the other threading is analyzing data. Using the method, it is broaden to analyze the sig nal in real-time. Wavelet transform to remove the main interference in the FM a nd by adding time-window to recognize with BP network; Finally the results of c ollecting signals and BP networks are discussed.8 pregnant women’s signals of F M were collected successfully by using the sensor. The correct of BP network rec ognition is about 83.3% by using the above measure.
文摘Intrapartum fetal monitoring has been criticized for the lack of evidence of improvement in fetal outcome despite causing increased operative intervention. Paradoxically, cardiotocography （CTG） has been a major driver for litigation for neonatal neurological injury. This analytical review tries to explore why extensive clinical studies and trials over 50 years have failed to demonstrate or bring about signifcant improvement in intrapartum fetal monitoring. There seems a need for significant reform. International congruence on most aspects of CTG interpretation [defnitions of fetal heart rate （FHR） parameters, CTG recording speed, 3-tier systems, etc .] is highly desirable to facilitate future meaningful clinical studies, evaluation and progress in this field. The FHR changes are non-specific and poor surrogate for fetal well-being. As a compromise for maintaining low false-negative results for fetal acidemia, a high false-positive value may have to be accepted. The need for redefning the place of adjuvant tests of fetal well-being like fetal blood sampling or fetal electrocardiography （ECG） is discussed. The FHR decelerations are often deterministic （center-stage） in CTG interpretation and 3-tier categorization. It is discussed if their scientifc and physiological classifcation （avoiding framing and confirmation biases） may be best based on time relationship to uterine contractions alone. This may provide a more sound foundation which could improve the reliability and further evolution of 3-tier systems. Results of several trials of fetal ECG （STAN） have been inconclusive and a need for a fresh approach or strategy is considered. It is hoped that the long anticipated Computer-aided analysis of CTG will be more objective and reliable （overcome human factors） and will offer valuable support or may eventually replace visual CTG interpretation. In any case, the recording and archiving all CTGs digitally and testing cord blood gases routinely in every delivery would be highly desirable for future research. This would facilitate well designed retrospective studies which can be very informative especially when prospective randomised controlled trials are often diffcult and resource-intensive.
