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BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

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Open Access 01-12-2015 | Technical advance

Improvements in fetal heart rate analysis by the removal of maternal-fetal heart rate ambiguities

Authors: Paula Pinto, Cristina Costa-Santos, Hernâni Gonçalves, Diogo Ayres-De-Campos, João Bernardes

Published in: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth | Issue 1/2015

Abstract

Background

Misinterpretation of the maternal heart rate (MHR) as fetal may lead to significant errors in fetal heart rate (FHR) interpretation. In this study we hypothesized that the removal of these MHR-FHR ambiguities would improve FHR analysis during the final hour of labor.

Methods

Sixty-one MHR and FHR recordings were simultaneously acquired in the final hour of labor. Removal of MHR-FHR ambiguities was performed by subtracting MHR signals from their FHR counterparts when the absolute difference between the two was less or equal to 5 beats per minute. Major MHR-FHR ambiguities were defined when they exceeded 1 % of the tracing. Maternal, fetal and neonatal characteristics were evaluated in cases where major MHR-FHR ambiguities occurred and computer analysis of FHR recordings was compared, before and after removal of the ambiguities.

Results

Seventy-two percent of tracings (44/61) exhibited episodes of major MHR-FHR ambiguities, which were not significantly associated with any maternal, fetal or neonatal characteristics, but were associated with MHR accelerations, FHR signal loss and decelerations. Removal of MHR-FHR ambiguities resulted in a significant decrease in FHR decelerations, and improvement in FHR tracing classification.

Conclusions

FHR interpretation during the final hour of labor can be significantly improved by the removal of MHR-FHR ambiguities.

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Title: Improvements in fetal heart rate analysis by the removal of maternal-fetal heart rate ambiguities
Authors: Paula Pinto
Cristina Costa-Santos
Hernâni Gonçalves
Diogo Ayres-De-Campos
João Bernardes
Publication date: 01-12-2015
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth / Issue 1/2015
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2393
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-015-0739-1

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Improvements in fetal heart rate analysis by the removal of maternal-fetal heart rate ambiguities

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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