The aim of this restricted systematic review was to investigate if FBS is still useful when ST Analysis of the fetal ECG is used as an adjunct to CTG. The STAN method identifies changes in the ST interval to identify fetuses at risk and is a continuous central message from the fetal heart.
The results show only limited data is available to answer this research question. The authors conclude that based on current evidence no recommendations in favour of combining …

CTG was introduced 45 years ago as a screening tool to predict fetal hypoxia and enable obstetricians and midwives to analyse the changes of the fetal heart rate during labour to avoid intrapartum hypoxic – ischaemic injury. There has not been an improvement in the rate of cerebral palsy and perinatal deaths, however a significant increase in caesarean section and operative deliveries rate has been noted. CTG has a 60% false-positive rate and present guidelines encourage the visual interpretation of CTG based on “pattern recognition”, which has a high intra-observer variability. Knowledge of fetal physiology is necessary to adequately interpret and deal with the findings on the CTG.

In this interesting review by Isis Amer-Wåhlin and Anneke Kwee are the scientific evidence from RCT:s and meta-analyses, all comparing CTG-only monitoring with CTG+ST Analysis, discussed and also the limitations of these studies. It also describes valuable information in certain situations of the use of ST Analysis.

In 2005, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the STAN S31 device (Neoventa Medical) for use as an adjunct to conventional electronic fetal heart-rate monitoring for fetal ECG ST Analysis.

Following the FDA approval, the largest trial that took place in regards to the STAN method was the US RCT in which over 11,000 women participated.

The objective of this interesting Norwegian observational study was to determine  the ECG performance  and neonatal outcome of pregnancies with breech presentation and planned vaginal delivery monitored with ST Analysis.
Main findings
The use of ST Analysis  to monitor vaginal breech deliveries is feasible and the ST changes during labour were different between breech and cephalic presentation.
The frequency of severe adverse neonatal outcome did not differ significantly between breech presentation and high risk vertex deliveries monitored by STAN, even …

Case for a more physiological approach to interpretation
In this interesting paper by Austin Ugwumadu  the general characteristics of the fetal heart rate, the changes in the fetal heart rate pattern that may occur during labour are discussed.
Conclusion:
– An intact fetus with a normal CTG, who is exposed to hypoxia during labour will display a predictable set and sequence of FHR responses.
– With an abnormal CTG the clinician will be able to use the trends in fetal …

This second part of the appraisal of RCTs comparing CTG+ST to CTG focus on the five meta-analyses (MAs) published in 2012 and 2013. As discussed in the first part, there are considerable differences in several variables in the five RCTs that make a comparison between the trials, and hence performing adequate meta-analyses, challenging. The type of meta-analyses to use, fixed- or random-effect MA, depends on the heterogeneity of the trials. A random-effect MA as a rule gives a more conservative …

This first article in a series of two, addresses the quality of the five randomized controlled trials(RCTs) comparing CTG+ST vs. CTG (Plymouth trial 1993, Swedish trial 2001, Finnish trial 2006, French trial 2007 and Dutch trial 2010). The following issues are reviewed: power calculation, pre-study training, inclusion criteria, randomization and recruitment pace, intrapartum management protocols, intrapartum interventions, cord blood and early neonatal metabolic acidosis, and neonatal outcomes.
All but the Swedish trial were underpowered for metabolic acidosis, and the majority …

After a thorough evaluation of the published data, the authors of this commentary take a definite position in favor of ST analysis in clinical practice. The basis for their standpoint is the solid fundament of experimental data revealing the importance of changes in the ST waveform of the fetal ECG for identification of intrauterine hypoxia. In addition, it is a fact that compared to the alternative of using FBS during labor, ST analysis is less invasive (only needing one perforation …

The use of ST Analysis as an adjunct to CTG has during the recent years reduced the frequency of vaginal operative deliveries, the necessity of fetal blood sampling and the number of neonates transferred to NICU.

The aim of this prospective observational study was to assess the effect of the time interval from indication of hypoxia to delivery on neonatal outcome.