Fetal bradycardia during the second stage of labor. Study of 72 cases
Pregazzi, R.; Venuleo, V.; Levi D'Ancona, R.; Bouché, C.; Ricci, G.; Toffoletti, F.G.
Minerva Ginecologica 44(1-2): 5-8
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0026-4784 PMID: 1508384 Document Number: 392058
The Authors analyse cardiotocographic patterns characterized by a constant frequency level below 120 beats/minute during the second stage of labour. Some aspects of "terminal bradycardia" (length, amplitude of oscillations, fetal heart rate in the 30 minutes preceding the onset of bradycardia) are related with the condition of the newborn (1st and 5th minute Apgar-score). Terminal bradycardia (Fischer 3, Melchior 2, 3 and 4, 2nd and 4th of Thiery) seems to have an unfavourable prognostic value especially when prolonged (more than 20 minutes), associated with low base-line variability and when cardiotocographic pattern previous to the fall of frequency is characterized by variable and late decelerations.