American journal of obstetrics and gynecology
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Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. · Nov 1993
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialPlymouth randomized trial of cardiotocogram only versus ST waveform plus cardiotocogram for intrapartum monitoring in 2400 cases.
The physiology of changes in the ST waveform of the fetal electrocardiogram has been elucidated in extensive animal and human observational studies. A combination of heart rate and ST waveform analysis might improve the predictive value of intrapartum monitoring. Our purpose was to compare operative intervention and neonatal outcome in labors monitored by the conventional cardiotocogram with those monitored by ST waveform plus the cardiotocogram. ⋯ ST waveform analysis discriminates cardiotocogram changes in labor, and the protocol for interpretation is safe. Further randomized studies are warranted.