Korean J Obstet Gynecol.  2004 Aug;47(8):1482-1486.

Is Transient Bradycardia Following Cordocentesis Associated with Adverse Pregnancy Outcome?

• Ryu SR
• Cha SH
• Yu SY
• Choi JS
• An HG
• Han JY

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the association between transient bradycardia following cordocentesis and adverse pregnancy outcome.
METHODS
117 cordocentesis was performed at Samsung Cheil hospital and women's healthcare center, between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2002. Clinically significant bradycardia was defined as a drop in the heart rate to less than 120 bpm. The adverse outcome included major anomaly, chromosomal abnormality, intrauterine growth restriction, preterm birth, and intrauterine fetal death.
RESULTS
Bradycardia following cordocentesis was observed in 13 cases (11.1 per cent). The fetal heart rate before (149.2 +/- 0.7 bpm) and after (144.7 +/- 2.8 bpm) cordocenteis was significantly different. The adverse outcome rate was 50.0 per cent (6/12) in cases with bradycardia and 27.7 per cent (26/94) in those without bradycardia (RR=2.6, P=NS).
CONCLUSION
Our result is that the association between transient bradycardia following cordocentesis and adverse pregnancy isn't statistically significant, even though adverse outcome is more frequent in pateints with bradycaredia. Therefore, patient with bradycardia following cordocentesis need periodic fetal surveillance.

Keyword

Cordocentesis; Fetal bradycardia; Adverse outcome

MeSH Terms

Bradycardia*
Chromosome Aberrations
Cordocentesis*
Delivery of Health Care
Female
Fetal Death
Heart Rate
Heart Rate, Fetal
Humans
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Outcome*
Pregnancy*
Premature Birth