fetal bradycardia
Pronunciation: brad-ee-KAR-dee-ah
Abnormally slow fetal heart rate requiring immediate assessment during fetal surgery.
Full Definition
Fetal bradycardia is defined as a sustained fetal heart rate below 110 beats per minute and represents a critical finding during fetal surgical procedures. This condition may indicate fetal hypoxia, anesthetic effects, or surgical complications requiring immediate intervention. During fetal surgery, continuous monitoring for bradycardia is essential as it may necessitate procedure modification, additional resuscitative measures, or emergency delivery. The condition can be transient due to positioning or sustained due to more serious complications affecting fetal oxygenation or cardiac function.
Usage
Usage note: Always specify the heart rate value and duration when documenting bradycardia episodes.
In Context
- "Persistent fetal bradycardia during the procedure prompted immediate repositioning and increased maternal oxygenation." — Intraoperative monitoring report
- "The development of fetal bradycardia led to expedited completion of the neural tube repair." — Surgical complication note