Physiological insights based on fetal tcPo2 monitoring

Abstract

ofWith the help of the tcPo2 technique, it is possible to monitor continuously fetal Po2 which was previously only possible with intermittent sampling according to the technique of Saling. Results from continuous recordings o biochemical blood gas parameters in subjects after birth have shown how quickly levels can change and that even very frequent blood sampling cannot ensure that a short term hypoxia i s always detected. It i s therefore an old dream of obstetricians to get continuous Information about the Status of fetal oxygen supply.The value of the tcPo2 method compared to other methods to assess fetal well being will greatly depend on the value of fetal Po2 in arterialised scalp blood s an indicator of a generalised disturbance of gas exchange. As i t i s true for all new, and to some extent sophisticated methods, thê actual l Imitation of the method first depends on the experience of the obstetrician. Furthermore it should be pointed out clearly that new methods Potentially bear two advantages, not known before, which one will be dominating. The question always persists, if the major contribution of a method i s i t's general application in clinical medicine or if the major contribution is it's clinical insight in physiology and pathophysiology resulting in an improved clinical management.In the following, we will give few examples of new insights:

Technical note

“…The introduction of electrodes for measuring transcutaneously Pco 2 (tcPco 2 ) -which is an innovation -appears to supply interesting additional information [2,6] according to the opinion of other authors and following our own experience. For technical reasons and in order to simplify the application, our ahn should be to integrate several electrodes into one measuring chamber.…”