Open AccessUse of uterine electromyography to diagnose term and preterm labor
Author(s) -
LUCOVNIK MIHA,
KUON RUBEN J.,
CHAMBLISS LINDA R.,
MANER WILLIAM L.,
SHI SHAOQING,
SHI LEILI,
BALDUCCI JAMES,
GARFIELD ROBERT E.
Publication year - 2011
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/j.1600-0412.2010.01031.x
Subject(s) - medicine , myometrium , preterm labor , electromyography , fetal fibronectin , uterine contraction , obstetrics , uterus , fetus , pregnancy , physical medicine and rehabilitation , biology , genetics
Current methodologies to assess the process of labor, such as tocodynamometry or intrauterine pressure catheters, fetal fibronectin, cervical length measurement and digital cervical examination, have several major drawbacks. They only measure the onset of labor indirectly and do not detect cellular changes characteristic of true labor. Consequently, their predictive values for term or preterm delivery are poor. Uterine contractions are a result of the electrical activity within the myometrium. Measurement of uterine electromyography (EMG) has been shown to detect contractions as accurately as the currently used methods. In addition, changes in cell excitability and coupling required for effective contractions that lead to delivery are reflected in changes of several EMG parameters. Use of uterine EMG can help to identify patients in true labor better than any other method presently employed in the clinic.