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AJP Rep 2015; 05(02): e176-e182
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1558401
Case Report
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Assessment of Cardiac Rate and Rhythm in Fetuses with Arrhythmia via Maternal Abdominal Fetal Electrocardiography

Hari K. Narayan
1   Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
,
Emilia F. Vignola
2   Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
,
William P. Fifer
3   Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Columbia University Medical Center, Sackler Institute of Developmental Psychobiology, New York, New York
,
Ismee A. Williams
4   Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

01 January 2015

30 April 2015

Publication Date:
09 September 2015 (online)

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Abstract

Objective This study aims to report our experience using the Monica AN24 (Monica Healthcare Ltd., Nottingham, United Kingdom), a maternal transabdominal fetal electrocardiographic monitor, in a case series of fetuses with arrhythmias.

Study Design We recorded fetal electrocardiograms (fECGs) on subjects with fetal arrhythmias diagnosed by fetal echocardiogram. Fetal heart rate and rhythm were determined via manual fECG analysis.

Results Overall, 20 fECGs were recorded from a pool of 13 subjects. Fetal heart rate acquisition was determined to be high, medium, and poor quality in 10, 3, and 7 tracings, respectively. High-quality tracings were obtained in 9 of 11 subjects with gestational age < 26 or > 34 weeks. P waves were detectable in five tracings.

Conclusion In subjects < 26 or > 34 weeks' gestational age, there was reasonable success in fetal heart rate acquisition. Further study is warranted to determine the potential role of this device in the monitoring of subjects with fetal arrhythmias.

Keywords

fetal electrocardiogram - fetal arrhythmia - atrial flutter - fetal heart rate
 

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