With the aid of uearly 600 cardiotocograius, recorded with the cardiotocograph according to Hammachtr, an investigation was carried out to assess the influence of labour on foetal heart frequency before and during delivery (Braxton-Hicks contractions, oxytocin sensitivity teat). It could be shown that cardiography renders possible a functional analysis of foetal heart frequency dynamics, allowing conclusions to be drawn in regard to the extent and kind of foetal distress ante- and intrn-partuin. This means that an early diagnosis for preventative surgical measures seems now to be possible, According to the evaluated correlation of individual CTG criteria to the Apgar-score and high risk cases, the following estimation factors can be pointed out: (1) FUf-Osciltation Types (a) The saltatory FHf (oscillation type 3) indicates funicular complication. (b) The; narrowed undulalory (oscillation type 1) and. above all, the silent (oscillation type 0) foetal heart frequency points to severe foetal distress and often indicates placental insufficiency. (2) Ranges of Average FHf (a) Bradycardia is less favourable than tachycardia. (b) A combination of pathological frequency patterns with bradycardia points to acute foetal distress. (3) Short Term Bradycardia Apart from the well known Dip I and II, Dip 0 is described the presence of which indicates funicular complication. Combinations of patterns of the individual criteria groups have been observed, as have gradual variations within these groups. © 1968 S. Karger AG, Basel.
