The effect of lumbar epidural analgesia on the fetal heart.
Fetal heart rate was monitored by continuous cardiotocography in 67 patients who were subjected to standard epidural block. In 43% of cases a deterioration in the fetal heart rate pattern was observed. The abnormal heart rate usually responded to conservative treatment. In 3 cases caesarean section was necessary. The deterioration of the fetal heart rate was usually associated with maternal hypotension.
D000767:Anesthesia, Epidural; D000773:Anesthesia, Obstetrical; D005260:Female; D005318:Fetal Heart / Q000502:physiology*; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D007022:Hypotension / Q000503:physiopathology; D008161:Lumbosacral Region; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000503:physiopathology