TY - JOUR
T1 - Fetal complications after placement of an intrauterine pressure catheter
T2 - A report of two cases and review of the literature
AU - Wilmink, Freke A.
AU - Wilms, Femke F.
AU - Heydanus, Roger
AU - Mol, Ben W.J.
AU - Papatsonis, Dimitri N.M.
PY - 2008/12/16
Y1 - 2008/12/16
N2 - Background. Uterine contractions during labor can be monitored by external tocodynamometry or by the use of an intrauterine pressure catheter (IUPC). Since an IUPC measures the frequency of contractions as well as their strength and duration, it is thought to be more accurate than external tocodynamometry. However, limited evidence on this subject suggests that IUPC may not improve maternal or perinatal outcomes. Moreover, the use of IUPC may cause fetal complications. Cases. We describe the placement of an IUPC during induction of labor with oxytocin in two cases, one presenting with a singleton pregnancy and the other a twin pregnancy. After introduction of the IUPC, both cases were complicated by blood loss and signs of fetal distress on cardiotocography. An emergency cesarean section was performed in both cases. In the first case, extramembranous placement of the IUPC was observed, whereas in the second case, the IUPC had lacerated an arteriovenous anastomosis in the membranes, resulting in perinatal death. Conclusion. Placement of an intrauterine pressure catheter instead of external tocodynamometry has a small risk for serious fetal complications.
AB - Background. Uterine contractions during labor can be monitored by external tocodynamometry or by the use of an intrauterine pressure catheter (IUPC). Since an IUPC measures the frequency of contractions as well as their strength and duration, it is thought to be more accurate than external tocodynamometry. However, limited evidence on this subject suggests that IUPC may not improve maternal or perinatal outcomes. Moreover, the use of IUPC may cause fetal complications. Cases. We describe the placement of an IUPC during induction of labor with oxytocin in two cases, one presenting with a singleton pregnancy and the other a twin pregnancy. After introduction of the IUPC, both cases were complicated by blood loss and signs of fetal distress on cardiotocography. An emergency cesarean section was performed in both cases. In the first case, extramembranous placement of the IUPC was observed, whereas in the second case, the IUPC had lacerated an arteriovenous anastomosis in the membranes, resulting in perinatal death. Conclusion. Placement of an intrauterine pressure catheter instead of external tocodynamometry has a small risk for serious fetal complications.
KW - Cardiotocography
KW - Extramembranous
KW - Extraovular placement
KW - Intrauterine pressure
KW - Intrauterine pressure catheter (IUPC)
KW - Pregnancy
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=57449106873&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/14767050802220508
DO - 10.1080/14767050802220508
M3 - Article
C2 - 18989829
AN - SCOPUS:57449106873
SN - 1476-7058
VL - 21
SP - 880
EP - 883
JO - Journal of Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine
JF - Journal of Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine
IS - 12
ER -