n example of the method of fetal heart rate processing employed when a scalp electrode is used is shown in Figure 24-2. Time (t) in milliseconds between fetal R waves is fed into a cardiotachometer, where a new fetal heart rate is set with the arrival ofeach new R wave. As also shown in Figure 24-2, a premature atrial contraction is computed as a heart rate acceleration because the interval (t2) is shorter than the preceding one (t1). he phenomenon of continuous R-to-R wave fetal heart rate computation is known as beat-to-beat variabiliy.
Electrical cardiac complexes detected by the electrode include those generated by the mother. However, the amplitude of the maternal ECG signal is diminished when recorded through the fetal scalp electrode and is masked by the fetal ECG. Shown in Figure 24-3 are simultaneous recordings of maternal chest wall ECG signals and fetal scalp electrode ECG signals. This fetus is experiencing premature atrial contractions, which cause the cardiotachometer to rapidly and erratically seek new heart rates, resulting in the "spiking" shown in the standard fetal monitor tracing. Importantly, when the fetus is dead, the maternal R waves are still detected by the scalp electrode as the next best signal and are counted by the cardiotachometer (Fig. 24-4).
Although membrane rupture may be avoided, external monitoring does not provide the precision of fetal heart rate measurement aforded by internal monitoring (Nunes, 2014). In some women-for example, those who are obese-external monitoring may be dificult (Brocato, 2017).
With external monitoring, the fetal heart rate is detected through the maternal abdominal wall using the ultrasound Doppler principle. Ultrasound waves undergo a shift in frequency as they are reflected from moving fetal heart valves and from pulsatile blood ejected during systole (Chap. 10, p. 213). he unit consists of a transducer that emits ultrasound and a sensor to detect a shift in frequency of the reflected sound. The transducer is placed on the maternal abdomen at a site where fetal heart action is best detected. A coupling gel
FIGURE 24-2 Schematic representation offetal electrocardiographic signals used to compute continuing beat-to-beat heart rate with scalp electrodes, Time intervals (tIl t21 t3) in milliseconds between successive fetal R waves are used by a cardiotachometer to compute instantaneous fetal heart rate, ECG = electrocardiogram; PAC = premature atrial contraction, contractions.
FIGURE 24-4 Placental abruption. In the upper panel, the fetal scalp electrode first detected the heart rate of the dying fetus. After fetal death, the maternal electrocardiogram complex is detected and recorded. The second panel displays an absence of uterine
Ultrasound Doppler signals are edited electronically before fetal heart rate data are printed onto monitor paper. Relected ultrasound signals from moving fetal heart valves are analyzed through a microprocessor that compares incoming signals with the most recent previous signal. This process, called autocorrelation, is based on the premise that the fetal heart rate has regularity, whereas "noise" is random and without regularity. Several fetal heart motions must be deemed electronically acceptable by the microprocessor before the fetal heart rate is printed. Such electronic editing has greatly improved the tracing quality of the externally recorded fetal heart rate. Other features of current fetal monitors include the capability to monitor twin fetuses, monitor concurrent maternal heart rate, display the fetal ECG, and record maternal pulse oximetry values. Many fetal monitors are capable of interfacing with archival storage systems, which obviates maintaining actual paper tracings.
Technological advances now allow fetal heart rate monitoring from a remote, centralized location. Theoretically, the ability to monitor several patients simultaneously was hoped to improve neonatal outcomes. That said, only one study on centralized fetal monitoring has been reported. Anderson and colleagues (2011) measured the ability of 12 individuals to detect critical signals in fetal heart rate tracings on one, two, or four monitors. The results showed that detection accuracy declined as the number of displays increased.