Antepartum measurement of the preejection period in high-risk pregnancy
Sampson, M.B.
Obstetrics and Gynecology 56(3): 289-295
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0029-7844 PMID: 7422166 Document Number: 165293
The preejection period (PEP) of the fetal heart was measured in the antepartum period in 32 high-risk patients between 32.5 and 42 weeks' gestation. Successful measurements were made 70% of the time using an abdominal electrocardiogram and a single-crystal Doppler ultrasound transducer with narrow band-pass amplifier. PEP was found to correlate directly with gestational age (GA) and inversely with fetal heart rate (FHR). Three of 4 growth-retarded infants and another infant who was asphyxiated at birth had significant shortening of PEP prior to delivery.