Improved equipment for abdominal fetal electrocardiogram recording: description and clinical evaluation

摘要: Abstract Reliable computer-based equipment for transabdominal or indirect recording of fetal electrocardiogram (FECG) is described. The proposed allows a real-time displaying the signals (fetal + maternal ECG) without averaging procedures and it does not require employment shielded room; moreover, user-friendly to medical personnel. An elementary form semi-automatic computation heart rate (FHR) was also implemented. simultaneously acquires three from seven electrodes, six placed on abdomen following space axes, one left leg as indifferent electrode. are magnified analogically filtered before undergoing digital finite impulse response (FIR) filter. Then displayed screen personal computer (PC). PC provides possibility storing acquired further analysis elaborations. quality recordings both rapid slow electrical phenomena heart, significantly influenced by occurrence at same time uterine contractions. performance this method assessed in 140 pregnant women with gestation periods 29–42 weeks. In 131 cases (93.6%) QRS complex detected FHR obtained. A reliable evaluation P waves ST interval, spite interference complexes, possible 102 (72.8%).