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Review
. 2016:2016:9585431.
doi: 10.1155/2016/9585431. Epub 2016 Apr 18.

Frequency and Time Domain Analysis of Foetal Heart Rate Variability with Traditional Indexes: A Critical Survey

Maria Romano  1 , Luigi Iuppariello  2 , Alfonso Maria Ponsiglione  2 , Giovanni Improta  3 , Paolo Bifulco  2 , Mario Cesarelli  2
Affiliations
Review

Frequency and Time Domain Analysis of Foetal Heart Rate Variability with Traditional Indexes: A Critical Survey

Maria Romano et al. Comput Math Methods Med. 2016.

Abstract

Monitoring of foetal heart rate and its variability (FHRV) covers an important role in assessing health of foetus. Many analysis methods have been used to get quantitative measures of FHRV. FHRV has been studied in time and in frequency domain and interesting clinical results have been obtained. Nevertheless, a standardized definition of FHRV and a precise methodology to be used for its evaluation are lacking. We carried out a literature overview about both frequency domain analysis (FDA) and time domain analysis (TDA). Then, by using simulated FHR signals, we defined the methodology for FDA. Further, employing more than 400 real FHR signals, we analysed some of the most common indexes, Short Term Variability for TDA and power content of the spectrum bands and sympathovagal balance for FDA, and evaluated their ranges of values, which in many cases are a novelty. Finally, we verified the relationship between these indexes and two important parameters: week of gestation, indicator of foetal growth, and foetal state, classified as active or at rest. Our results indicate that, according to literature, it is necessary to standardize the procedure for FHRV evaluation and to consider week of gestation and foetal state before FHR analysis.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Synthetic FHR. Example of FHR artificially generated according to a procedure previously developed and published.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Foetal states. Example of FHR recorded from a foetus in an active state (a) and a foetus at rest (b) WG: week of gestation.
Figure 3
Figure 3
FHRV power spectrum. Mean power spectrum of FHRV computed using detrend (a) and mean power spectrum of FHRV computed after floating line subtraction (b). In the oval (a), the part of VLF band modified by a residual of VLF band.
Figure 4
Figure 4
STV trend. Short Term Variability values and regression curve with week of gestation.
Figure 5
Figure 5
P LF and P HF trends. Power values in LF (on the top) and HF (on the bottom) bands and regression curves with week of gestation.
Figure 6
Figure 6
P VLF trend. Power values of VLF band and regression curve with week of gestation.
Figure 7
Figure 7
SVB trend. Sympathovagal balance values (dimensionless) and regression curve with week of gestation.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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