Variable range directional doppler and abdominal ECG for FHR monitoring.
Antepartum nonstress fetal heart rate (FHR) monitoring may become a valuable screening tool for all pregnancies. Two methods proposed for an antepartum FHR monitor are examined: abdominal electrocardiogram (AECG) and variable range directional Doppler (RDD). A good quality (detailed, clearcut baseline) RDD FHR record was obtained in 74/75 (99%) examinations, and a good quality AECG record was obtained i31/75 (41%). Each patient was monitored in the supine, lateral and sitting positions. Considering all positions, 76% of the RDD records and 19% of the AECG records were good. The RDD system was efficacious for routine, clinical antepartum FHR monitoring, but the performance of the AECG was too limited for this purpose.
Variable range directional doppler and abdominal ECG for FHR monitoring. Antepartum nonstress fetal heart rate (FHR) monitoring may become a valuable screening tool for all pregnancies. Two methods proposed for an antepartum FHR monitor are examined: abdominal electrocardiogram (AECG) and variable range directional Doppler (RDD). A good quality (detailed, clearcut baseline) RDD FHR record was obtained in 74/75 (99%) examinations, and a good quality AECG record was obtained i31/75 (41%). Each patient was monitored in the supine, lateral and sitting positions. Considering all positions, 76% of the RDD records and 19% of the AECG records were good. The RDD system was efficacious for routine, clinical antepartum FHR monitoring, but the performance of the AECG was too limited for this purpose.