Slow embryonic heart rate in early first trimester: indicator of poor pregnancy outcome.
Radiology
; 192(2): 343-4, 1994 Aug.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-8029394
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE:
To assess the outcome of early first-trimester pregnancies with slow embryonic heart rates. MATERIALS ANDMETHODS:
Forty pregnant women had prenatal ultrasound scans obtained before 8 weeks gestation that demonstrated an embryonic heart rate of 90 beats per minute or less. Follow-up information was used to determine pregnancy status at the end of the first trimester.RESULTS:
Thirty-two embryos died before the end of the first trimester, five survived the first trimester, and three were lost to follow-up. Fetal demise occurred in all seven embryos with heart rates of less than 70 beats per minute, 10 of 11 with heart rates of 70-79 beats per minute, and 15 of 19 with heart rates of 80-90 beats per minute. All 32 pregnancy losses occurred within 10.5 weeks gestation.CONCLUSION:
An embryonic heart rate of 90 beats per minute or less early in the first trimester carries a dismal prognosis, with a very high likelihood of fetal demise before the end of the first trimester. Demise occurred in all embryos with heart rates less than 70 beats per minute.
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Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Heart Rate, Fetal
/
Fetal Death
Type of study:
Prognostic_studies
Limits:
Female
/
Humans
/
Pregnancy
Language:
En
Year:
1994
Type:
Article