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 ...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 significant improvement in intrapartum fetal monitoring. There seems a need for significant reform. International congruence on most aspects of CTG interpretation [definitions 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 redefining 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 scientific and physiological classification(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 difficult and resource-intensive.展开更多
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
Mobile robots behaving as humans should possess multifunctional flexible sensing systems including vision,hearing,touch,smell,and taste.A gas sensor array(GSA),also known as electronic nose,is a possible solution for ...Mobile robots behaving as humans should possess multifunctional flexible sensing systems including vision,hearing,touch,smell,and taste.A gas sensor array(GSA),also known as electronic nose,is a possible solution for a robotic olfactory system that can detect and discriminate a wide variety of gas molecules.Artificial intelligence(AI)applied to an electronic nose involves a diverse set of machine learning algorithms which can generate a smell print by analyzing the signal pattern from the GSA.A combination of GSA and AI algorithms can empower intelligent robots with great capabilities in many areas such as environmental monitoring,gas leakage detection,food and beverage production and storage,and especially disease diagnosis through detection of different types and concentrations of target gases with the advantages of portability,low-powerconsumption and ease-of-operation.It is exciting to envisage robots equipped with a"nose"acting as family doctor who will guard every family member's health and keep their home safe.In this review,we give a summary of the state-of the-art research progress in the fabrication techniques for GSAs and typical algorithms employed in artificial olfactory systems,exploring their potential applications in disease diagnosis,environmental monitoring,and explosive detection.We also discuss the key limitations of gas sensor units and their possible solutions.Finally,we present the outlook of GSAs over the horizon of smart homes and cities.展开更多
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 significant improvement in intrapartum fetal monitoring. There seems a need for significant reform. International congruence on most aspects of CTG interpretation [definitions 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 redefining 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 scientific and physiological classification(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 difficult and resource-intensive.
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.
基金supported by the Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Fund (ITS/115/18) from the Innovation and Technology CommissionShenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Commission (Project No. J CYJ20180306174923335)
文摘Mobile robots behaving as humans should possess multifunctional flexible sensing systems including vision,hearing,touch,smell,and taste.A gas sensor array(GSA),also known as electronic nose,is a possible solution for a robotic olfactory system that can detect and discriminate a wide variety of gas molecules.Artificial intelligence(AI)applied to an electronic nose involves a diverse set of machine learning algorithms which can generate a smell print by analyzing the signal pattern from the GSA.A combination of GSA and AI algorithms can empower intelligent robots with great capabilities in many areas such as environmental monitoring,gas leakage detection,food and beverage production and storage,and especially disease diagnosis through detection of different types and concentrations of target gases with the advantages of portability,low-powerconsumption and ease-of-operation.It is exciting to envisage robots equipped with a"nose"acting as family doctor who will guard every family member's health and keep their home safe.In this review,we give a summary of the state-of the-art research progress in the fabrication techniques for GSAs and typical algorithms employed in artificial olfactory systems,exploring their potential applications in disease diagnosis,environmental monitoring,and explosive detection.We also discuss the key limitations of gas sensor units and their possible solutions.Finally,we present the outlook of GSAs over the horizon of smart homes and cities.
