Automated Conduction Velocity Analysis in the Electrohysterogram for Prediction of Imminent Delivery: A Preliminary Study

Hinke De Lau,Rianne Bijloo,Massimo Mischi,S Guid Oei,Chiara Rabotti,Michael Johannes Rooijakkers

doi:10.1155/2013/627976

Hinke De Lau, Rianne Bijloo + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/627976

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Abstract

Background. Analysis of the electrohysterogram (EHG) is a promising diagnostic tool for preterm delivery. For the introduction in the clinical practice, analysis of the EHG should be reliable and automated to guarantee reproducibility. Study Goal. Investigating the feasibility of automated analysis of the EHG conduction velocity (CV) for detecting imminent delivery. Materials and Methods. Twenty-two patients presenting with uterine contractions (7 preterm) were included. An EHG was obtained noninvasively using a 64-channel high-density electrode grid. Contractions were selected based on the estimated intrauterine pressure derived from the EHG, the tocodynamometer, and maternal perception. Within the selected contractions, the CV vector was identified in two dimensions. Results. Nine patients delivered within 24 hours and were classified as a labor group. 64 contractions were analyzed; the average amplitude of the CV vector was significantly higher for the labor group, 8.65 cm/s ± 1.90, compared to the nonlabor group, 5.30 cm/s ± 1.47 (P < 0.01). Conclusion. The amplitude of the CV is a promising parameter for predicting imminent (preterm) delivery. Automated estimation of this parameter from the EHG signal is feasible and should be regarded as an important prerequisite for future clinical studies and applications.

Highlights

Preterm delivery, defined as delivery before 37 weeks of gestation, constitutes a major problem in terms of neonatal mortality, morbidity, and healthcare costs [1,2,3]
action potentials (APs) occur in bursts; they arise in cells that act as pacemakers and propagate from cell to cell through gap junctions [7,8,9]
This study investigates the feasibility of a new automated approach for the analysis of the EHG conduction velocity (CV) for detecting imminent delivery

Summary

Introduction

Preterm delivery, defined as delivery before 37 weeks of gestation, constitutes a major problem in terms of neonatal mortality, morbidity, and healthcare costs [1,2,3]. A potential new diagnostic tool is the electrohysterogram (EHG), which is a noninvasive abdominal measurement of the electrical activity underlying uterine contractions. Analysis of the electrohysterogram (EHG) is a promising diagnostic tool for preterm delivery. Investigating the feasibility of automated analysis of the EHG conduction velocity (CV) for detecting imminent delivery. Twenty-two patients presenting with uterine contractions (7 preterm) were included. 64 contractions were analyzed; the average amplitude of the CV vector was significantly higher for the labor group, 8.65 cm/s ± 1.90, compared to the nonlabor group, 5.30 cm/s ± 1.47 (P < 0.01). The amplitude of the CV is a promising parameter for predicting imminent (preterm) delivery. Automated estimation of this parameter from the EHG signal is feasible and should be regarded as an important prerequisite for future clinical studies and applications

Methods

Results

Conclusion