International Session Award. Non-invasive cutaneous cardiovascular dynamics (CVD) as a predictor of preterm delivery: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the clinical value of cardiovascular dynamics (CVD) pattern of 'positive cycling' in predicting true preterm labor.


METHODS
Patients with a clinical diagnosis of preterm labor had CVD measurement with a non-invasive miniature pressure transducer applied to the fingertip concomitantly with uterine activity monitoring. Based on previous work by our group, the rapid ejection time (RET) reflects arterial compliance; an elevated RET is suggestive of vasoconstriction. Positive cycling is present when the RET shows elevation with uterine contractions and negative cycling is present when there are no changes in the RET with uterine contractions.


RESULTS
Twenty-seven women had negative CVD cycling and nine had positive CVD cycling. There was no difference between the two groups in initial gestational age, cervical effacement or cervical dilation at testing. However, the mean interval from testing to delivery was 1.56 (SEM+/-0.29) days for positive cycling and 39 days (+/-5.25) for negative cycling (P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Non-invasive cardiovascular patterns of positive cycling appear predictive of preterm delivery.
Ogunyemi
Dotun
D
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, King/Drew Medical Center, Los Angeles, California 90059, USA. DOOGUNYE@CDREWU.EDU
Vargas
Noemi
N
Fukushima
Teiichiro
T
Hon
Edward
E
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005322:Premature Rupture of Fetal Membranes / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000592:standards*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014590:Uterine Contraction