Open AccessIt is time to introduce ST analysis for fetal monitoring in the labor ward?
Author(s) -
Visser Gerard H.A.,
Kessler Jørg
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
acta obstetricia et gynecologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1600-0412
pISSN - 0001-6349
DOI - 10.1111/aogs.12397
Subject(s) - medicine , randomized controlled trial , fetal heart rate , cardiotocography , fetus , asphyxia , fetal monitoring , obstetrics , pregnancy , intensive care medicine , heart rate , surgery , blood pressure , biology , genetics
Five randomized controlled trials have been published on intrapartum fetal heart rate monitoring with ST analysis of the fetal electrocardiogram, but the debate on its usefulness has not yet been ended. We consider ST analysis a useful and cost‐effective addition to conventional fetal heart rate monitoring. We will provide support for this opinion by discussing the pathophysiology of ST changes in relation to fetal asphyxia, the results of the randomized controlled trials and numerous meta‐analyses of these randomized controlled trials and trends in fetal outcome in hospitals in different countries following the introduction of the ST technology in the labor ward.