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Frenken MWE, Thijssen KMJ, Vlemminx MWC, van den Heuvel ER, Westerhuis MEMH, Oei SG. Clinical evaluation of electrohysterography as method of monitoring uterine contractions during labor: A propensity score matched study. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2021; 259:178-184. [PMID: 33684672 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2021.02.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Electrohysterography is a non-invasive technique to monitor uterine activity and has a significantly higher sensitivity compared to conventional external tocodynamometry. Whether this technique could lead to improved obstetrical outcomes is still unknown. In this propensity score matched study, clinical results of the first pilot implementing electrohysterography during labor were evaluated. The hypothesis tested is that electrohysterography will help to optimize uterine activity and thereby lead to fewer obstetric interventions. Secondary outcomes were Apgar score, arterial umbilical pH values, first stage labor duration, episiotomy rate and postpartum vaginal blood loss. STUDY DESIGN From November 2017 until October 2018, electrohysterography was introduced as a standard alternative for monitoring uterine activity in high-risk deliveries. It could be applied in case of induced labor, previous cesarean delivery, body mass index ≥30 kg/m2 or an inadequate external tocodynamometry monitoring. Outcomes were compared to a matched group of women in which external tocodynamometry was applied for uterine activity monitoring during labor. These women were identified using propensity scores. RESULTS A total of 348 women received electrohysterography as standard method of uterine monitoring during labor. A match (1:1 ratio) was found for 317 women, resulting in a total population of 634 women. No significant differences were seen in obstetric interventions (i.e. cesarean deliveries and assisted vaginal deliveries) between the electrohysterography and tocodynamometry group (P = 0.80). No statistically significant differences were seen regarding the secondary outcomes. CONCLUSIONS This first pilot study implementing electrohysterography as monitoring method during labor in a high-risk population did not result in statistically significant differences regarding obstetric interventions, low Apgar scores or low umbilical artery pH values. Therefore, we suggest that electrohysterography causes no harm and we recommend further implementation and evaluation in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria W E Frenken
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Máxima Medical Center, P.O. Box 7777, 5500 MB, Veldhoven, the Netherlands; Department of Electrical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB, Eindhoven, the Netherlands; Eindhoven MedTech Innovation Center (e/MTIC), P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB, Eindhoven, the Netherlands.
| | - Kirsten M J Thijssen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Máxima Medical Center, P.O. Box 7777, 5500 MB, Veldhoven, the Netherlands; Department of Electrical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB, Eindhoven, the Netherlands; Eindhoven MedTech Innovation Center (e/MTIC), P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
| | - Maria W C Vlemminx
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Máxima Medical Center, P.O. Box 7777, 5500 MB, Veldhoven, the Netherlands; Department of Electrical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB, Eindhoven, the Netherlands; Eindhoven MedTech Innovation Center (e/MTIC), P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
| | - Edwin R van den Heuvel
- Eindhoven MedTech Innovation Center (e/MTIC), P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB, Eindhoven, the Netherlands; Department of Mathematics & Computer Science, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
| | - Michelle E M H Westerhuis
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Catharina Hospital, P.O. Box 1350, 5602 ZA, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
| | - S Guid Oei
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Máxima Medical Center, P.O. Box 7777, 5500 MB, Veldhoven, the Netherlands; Department of Electrical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB, Eindhoven, the Netherlands; Eindhoven MedTech Innovation Center (e/MTIC), P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
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The Noninvasive Fetal Electrocardiogram During Labor: A Review of the Literature. Obstet Gynecol Surv 2021; 75:369-380. [PMID: 32603475 DOI: 10.1097/ogx.0000000000000798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Importance The introduction of the cardiotocogram (CTG) during labor has not been found to improve neonatal outcome. The search for a more reliable, less invasive, and patient-friendly technique is ongoing. The noninvasive fetal electrocardiogram (NI-fECG) has been proposed as one such alternative. Objectives The aim of this study was to review the literature on the performance of NI-fECG for fetal monitoring during labor. Following the PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library was performed. Studies involving original research investigating the performance of NI-fECG during labor were included. Animal studies and articles in languages other than English, Dutch, or German were excluded. The QUADAS-2 checklist was used for quality assessment. A descriptive analysis of the results is provided. Results Eight articles were included. Pooled analysis of the results of the separate studies was not possible due to heterogeneity. All studies demonstrate that it is possible to apply NI-fECG during labor. Compared with Doppler ultrasound, NI-fECG performs equal or better in most studies. Conclusions and Relevance NI-fECG for fetal monitoring is a promising noninvasive and patient-friendly technique that provides accurate information. Future studies should focus on signal quality throughout labor, with the aim to further optimize technical development of NI-fECG.
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Garcia-Gonzalez MT, Charleston-Villalobos S, Gonzalez-Camarena R, Garcia-Ruiz AC, Aljama-Corrales T. Characterization of EHG Contractions at Pregnancy and Term Labor by Multiscale Entropy Analysis. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2020; 2019:5987-5990. [PMID: 31947211 DOI: 10.1109/embc.2019.8856969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Monitoring uterine activity by electrohysterogram (EHG), associated with contractions both in pregnancy and labor, may contribute to the knowledge for evaluating possible risks to the binomial mother-fetus. In this context, the aim of the present study was to explore the complexity of EHG generated by women during the third trimester of pregnancy (group P) and at term labor (group L). The EHG was obtained by band-pass filtering in the range from 0.1 to 3 Hz the monopolar raw signal of the electrode number 1, of a 4-by-4 sensor array, which was located near to the tocodynamometer transducer. Multiscale entropy (MSE) analysis measures the entropy over multiple time scales to provide the complexity of the EHG time series. The results pointed out that such nonlinear technique has the potential to discriminate contractions from both groups using the area under the MSE curve (AUC) as index. The highest complexity was obtained for group P (N= 8) as AUC was 13.9233 ± 0.2015 while the lowest complexity was for group L, with N=8 and AUC of 5.1675 ± 0.0783 (p<; 0.0001). Consequently, the complexity of EHG by MSE could provide an index to discriminate between the electrical uterine activity generated during pregnancy or at labor.
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Lempersz C, Noben L, van Osta G, Wassen MLH, Meershoek BPJ, Bakker P, Jacquemyn Y, Cuerva MJ, Vullings R, Westerhuis MEMH, Oei GS. Intrapartum non-invasive electrophysiological monitoring: A prospective observational study. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2020; 99:1387-1395. [PMID: 32306380 DOI: 10.1111/aogs.13873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Revised: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Doppler ultrasound cardiotocography is a non-invasive alternative that, despite its poor specificity, is often first choice for intrapartum monitoring. Doppler ultrasound suffers from signal loss due to fetal movements and is negatively correlated with maternal body mass index (BMI). Reported accuracy of fetal heart rate monitoring by Doppler ultrasound varies between 10.6 and 14.3 bpm and reliability between 62.4% and 73%. The fetal scalp electrode (FSE) is considered the reference standard for fetal monitoring but can only be applied after membranes have ruptured with sufficient cervical dilatation and is sometimes contra-indicated. A non-invasive alternative that overcomes the shortcomings of Doppler ultrasound, providing reliable information on fetal heart rate, could be the answer. Non-invasive fetal electrocardiography (NI-fECG) uses a wireless electrode patch on the maternal abdomen to obtain both fetal and maternal heart rate signals as well as an electrohysterogram. We aimed to validate a wireless NI-fECG device for intrapartum monitoring in term singleton pregnancies, by comparison with the FSE. MATERIAL AND METHODS We performed a multicenter cross-sectional observational study at labor wards of 6 hospitals located in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Spain. Laboring women with a healthy singleton fetus in cephalic presentation and gestational age between 36 and 42 weeks were included. Participants received an abdominal electrode patch and FSE after written informed consent. Accuracy, reliability, and success rate of fetal heart rate readings were determined, using FSE as reference standard. Analysis was performed for the total population and measurement period as well as separated by labor stage and BMI class (≤30 and >30 kg/m2 ). RESULTS We included a total of 125 women. Simultaneous registrations with NI-fECG and FSE were available in 103 women. Overall accuracy is -1.46 bpm and overall reliability 86.84%. Overall success rate of the NI-fECG is around 90% for the total population as well as for both BMI subgroups. Success rate dropped to 63% during second stage of labor, similar results are found when looking at the separate BMI groups. CONCLUSIONS Performance measures of the NI-fECG device are good in the overall group and the separate BMI groups. Compared with Doppler ultrasound performance measures from the literature, NI-fECG is a more accurate alternative. Especially, when women have a higher BMI, NI-fECG performs well, resembling FSE performance measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlijn Lempersz
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Máxima Medical Center, Veldhoven, The Netherlands.,Eindhoven MedTech Innovation Center (e/MTIC), Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Lore Noben
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Máxima Medical Center, Veldhoven, The Netherlands.,Eindhoven MedTech Innovation Center (e/MTIC), Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Gonnie van Osta
- Author! Et al. BV Data analysis and reporting, Hilversum, The Netherlands
| | - Martine L H Wassen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zuyderland Medical Center, Heerlen, The Netherlands
| | - Bert P J Meershoek
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Van Weel-Bethesda Hospital, Dirksland, The Netherlands
| | - Petra Bakker
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Yves Jacquemyn
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Marcos Javier Cuerva
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital La Paz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rik Vullings
- Eindhoven MedTech Innovation Center (e/MTIC), Eindhoven, The Netherlands.,Department of Electrical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Michelle E M H Westerhuis
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Máxima Medical Center, Veldhoven, The Netherlands.,Eindhoven MedTech Innovation Center (e/MTIC), Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Guid S Oei
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Máxima Medical Center, Veldhoven, The Netherlands.,Eindhoven MedTech Innovation Center (e/MTIC), Eindhoven, The Netherlands
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Abstract
Contractions are produced through a complex interplay of hormonal, mechanical, and electrical factors. In labor, contractions are measured using the Montevideo unit. Clinical considerations in labor wherein contraction assessment becomes paramount include the care of women whose labor is complicated by abnormal progress or tachysystole. In an era of obstetrics in which the high cesarean rate is a major issue of concern, there remain many questions as to how to best incorporate contraction monitoring into practice in order to optimize care. Technological advancement has led to the development on new modalities that can be used to study contraction physiology, and there may be an opportunity in the future to apply these methods for use in the clinical setting. This article also makes a case for the need to reevaluate the current measures of uterine contractile activity and the definition of contraction adequacy using updated definitions of normal labor progress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen E Gee
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, 395 W. 12th Ave, 5th floor, 43210 Columbus, OH, United States.
| | - Heather A Frey
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, 395 W. 12th Ave, 5th floor, 43210 Columbus, OH, United States
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Saleem S, Saeed A, Usman S, Ferzund J, Arshad J, Mirza J, Manzoor T. Granger causal analysis of electrohysterographic and tocographic recordings for classification of term vs. preterm births. Biocybern Biomed Eng 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbe.2020.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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