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Lookup NU author(s): Professor Steve RobsonORCiD
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We have compared fetal heart rate patterns, Apgar scores and umbilical cord gas values following initiation of labour analgesia using either combined spinal-epidural or epidural. One hundred and fifteen healthy women requesting neuraxial analgesia in the first stage of labour were randomly assigned to receive either combined spinal-epidural (n=62) or epidural analgesia (n=53). Fetal heart rate traces, recorded for 30min before and 60min after neuraxial block, were categorised as normal, suspicious or pathological according to national guidelines. Sixty-one fetal heart rate tracings were analysed in the combined spinal-epidural group and 52 in the epidural group. No significant differences were found in fetal heart rate patterns, Apgar scores or umbilical artery and vein acid-base status between groups. However, in both combined spinal-epidural and epidural groups, there was a significant increase in the incidence of abnormal fetal heart rate patterns following neuraxial analgesia (p<0.0001); two before compared with eight after analgesia in the combined spinal-epidural group and zero before compared with 11 after in the epidural group. These changes comprised increased decelerations (p=0.0045) (combined spinal-epidural group nine before and 14 after analgesia, epidural group four before and 16 after), increased late decelerations (p<0.0001) (combined spinal-epidural group zero before and seven after analgesia, epidural group zero before and eight after), and a reduction in acceleration rate (p=0.034) (combined spinal-epidural group mean (SD) 12.2 (6.7)h(-1) before and 9.9 (6.1)h(-1) after analgesia, epidural group 11.0 (7.3) h(-1) before and 8.4 (5.9)h(-1) after). These fetal heart rate changes did not affect neonatal outcome in this healthy population.
Author(s): Patel NP, El-Wahab N, Fernando R, Wilson S, Robson SC, Columb MO, Lyons GR
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Anaesthesia
Year: 2014
Volume: 69
Issue: 5
Pages: 458-467
Print publication date: 01/05/2014
Online publication date: 17/04/2014
Acceptance date: 07/01/2014
ISSN (print): 0003-2409
ISSN (electronic): 1365-2044
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/anae.12602
DOI: 10.1111/anae.12602
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