Computer method for perinatal screening of cardiac murmur using fetal phonocardiography.

The main purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the capability of fetal phonocardiographic measurements to indicate some congenital heart defects. It deals with the results of investigations carried out during the last four years involving 820 pregnant women. During the investigations fetal cardiac murmurs presenting typical waveforms and incidences of acoustic signals were recorded. Causes of these murmurs are suggested based on comparison with the well-known waveforms of infants and children. A sophisticated signal processing method for murmur discovery is presented, that is also useful for automatic perinatal screening after the 28th week of gestation. By these means low-risk population may also be fully tested for cardiac malfunctions.

Experiences with fetal phonocardiographic telemonitoring and future possibilities.

Phonocardiography (PCG) makes possible the examination of some fetal cardiac anomalies which otherwise usually remain undetected during pregnancy. The application of PCG in a telemonitoring system enhances its diagnostic capabilities, allowing long-term measurements even at home. The paper summarizes the intensive fetal monitoring campaign carried out in Hungary during the last three years that yielded useful experience regarding recent and future possibilities of fetal monitoring. Results collected from a large number of measurements suggest that PCG home monitoring may be a suitable screening method for fetal congenital heart diseases, even if surgical intervention in this phase of pregnancy is not easy.