Geburtsh Frauenheilk
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Geburtsh Frauenheilk · Nov 1995
[Subpartal diagnosis of umbilical cord encirclement using color-coded Doppler ultrasonography and correlation with cardiotocographic changes during labor].
Umbilical cord complications are the most common cause of pathologic fetal heart tones during delivery. The inauguration of colour-coded Doppler ultrasound in obstetrics has made the definite diagnosis of umbilical cord encirclement during delivery possible. The prospective study introduced here examines the question of how exactly an encirclement can be seen by Doppler during delivery, its influence on cardiotocographic results, delivery mode, and fetal outcome. 107 patients in labour with cervical dilatation were examined in a prospective study using colour-coded Doppler ultrasound to determine cases of umbilical cord encirclement. ⋯ However, the umbilical cord in cases of encirclement was significantly longer than when no encirclement occurred. Assessment of fetal heart tones demonstrated a significantly higher rate of variable decelerations in the patient group with umbilical cord encirclement compared to that without. In conclusion, our results show that the early diagnosis of umbilical cord encirclement during delivery allows appropriate assessment of fetal heart tone changes,justifying temporising management under continuous monitoring with possible micro-blood analysis.