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B S Schifrin

Publications and source records attributed to B S Schifrin.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Intrapartum electronic fetal heart rate monitoring versus intermittent auscultation: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To use a meta-analysis of all published randomized trials to determine whether the use of continuous electronic fetal heart rate monitoring (EFM) as the main method of intrapartum fetal surveillance is associated with improved pregnancy outcome compared to intermittent auscultation. DATA SOURCES: We used the MEDLINE data base and reference lists of articles to identify all published randomized trials of EFM versus intermittent auscultation. METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION: A total of nine randomized trials published in peer-review journals were identified. The selection criterion was the use of EFM or intermittent auscultation as the main intrapartum fetal surveillance technique. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: A total of 18,561 patients were included in the nine published randomized trials, 9398 in the EFM group and 9163 in the auscultation group. Measures of pregnancy outcome included cesarean delivery, cesarean for suspected fetal distress, overall use of forceps or vacuum, use of forceps or vacuum for suspected fetal distress, overall perinatal mortality, and perinatal mortality due to fetal hypoxia (intrapartum or early neonatal death) attributable to the method of intrapartum monitoring. The meta-analysis showed that the patients monitored electronically had a significantly higher overall cesarean rate (odds ratio [OR] 1.53, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.17-2.01), higher cesarean rate for fetal distress (OR 2.55, 95% CI 1.81-3.53), overall increased use of forceps or vacuum (OR 1.23, 95% CI 1.02-1.49), increased use of forceps or vacuum for suspected fetal distress (OR 2.50, 95% CI 1.97-3.18), and decreased perinatal mortality due to fetal hypoxia (OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.17-0.98). CONCLUSION: Electronic fetal monitoring is associated with increased rates of surgical intervention and decreased perinatal mortality due to fetal hypoxia.

Cardiotocography

Medicolegal ramifications of electronic fetal monitoring during labor.

Fetal heart rate patterns play a significant role in the modern day obstetric care. They also play a significant role in medicolegal allegations of negligence when the fetus suffers injury. Proper interpretation of the fetal monitor tracing is only one factor in the evaluation of the reasonableness of obstetric care. Appropriate care and optimal defense both derive from reasonable interpretation of pertinent clinical data, including the monitor strip, along with timely pursuit of a thoughtful, properly annotated, plan of care.

Birth Injuries

The accuracy of auscultatory detection of fetal cardiac decelerations: a computer simulation.

To evaluate current practices of auscultation for the detection of decelerations, we used a computer to generate contractions and late decelerations and perform the counting. The baseline rate ranged from 110 to 180 beats/min. The duration of the deceleration ranged from 1 to 2 minutes, and the amplitude of the deceleration ranged from 10 to 90 beats/min. The onset of the decelerations ranged from 0.4 to 0.7 of the length of the contraction. Counting was begun at 80%, 100%, and 120% of the contraction length. The duration of counting varied between 15 and 60 seconds. A multicount algorithm obtained three 10-second counts separated by 5 seconds. Results were classified by the ability to detect rates below 120, 100, or 80 beats/min (threshold determination) or 20 and 25 beats/min below the baseline rate (subtraction determination). The baseline rate and deceleration amplitude had the greatest effect on accuracy. The higher the baseline rate and the smaller the deceleration amplitude, the less accurate was detection. Multiple counts were more accurate than the single-count strategy, and subtraction detection was more accurate than threshold detection. The effects of counting error are briefly described. This model, which requires clinical confirmation, nevertheless emphasizes the potential inaccuracies of many popular schemes of auscultatory surveillance, even for the detection of prolonged or sustained decelerations. Certain modifications of auscultatory practice may improve the accuracy of this technique.

Computer Simulation

Breech management.

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Breech Presentation