Antepartum fetal heart rate testing. V. The nonstress test--an outpatient approach
Keegan, K.A.; Paul, R.H.; Broussard, P.M.; McCart, D.; Smith, M.A.
American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 136(1): 81-83
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9378 PMID: 7352491 Document Number: 156806
A total of 567 tests were performed in a 1 yr period on 399 high-risk obstetric patients in an outpatient clinic setting to test the feasibility of an office approach to antepartum heart rate testing. Of these tests, 510 were reactive and 57 were nonreactive (NR); 15 NR tests had associated spontaneous contraction stress tests [CST]; 39 NR tests and 1 reactive test with an equivocal spontaneous CST were repeated in 2-4 h; 30 tests were reactive and 9 tests remained NR. An oxytocin-induced CST was needed to clarify fetal status in only 9 of 607 tests. With this approach, the nonstress test may be quite appropriate for office use.