Computerized analysis of cardiotocograms and ST signals is associated with significant reductions in hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and cesarean delivery: an observational study in 38 466 deliveries

Intrapartum cardiotocography (CTG) is widely used in high-resource countries and remains at the centre of fetal monitoring and the decision to intervene, but there is ample evidence of poor reliability in visual interpretation, as well as limited accuracy in identifying fetal hypoxia. Combined monitoring of CTG and ST segment signals was developed to increase specificity, but analysis relies heavily on CTG interpretation and is therefore also affected by the previously referred problems. Computerized analysis was developed to overcome these limitations, aiding in the quantification of parameters that are difficult to evaluate visually, such as variability, integrating the complex guidelines of combined CTG and ST analysis, and using visual and sound alerts to prompt healthcare professionals to re-evaluate features associated with fetal hypoxia.

Source: American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology - December 27, 2018 Category: OBGYN Authors: Joana Lopes-Pereira, Ant ónia Costa, Diogo Ayres-de-Campos, Cristina Costa-Santos, Joana Amaral, João Bernardes Tags: Original Research: Obstetrics Source Type: research