THE EFFECT OF CHORIONIC VILLUS SAMPLING ON FETAL HEART RATE

Author: Shahram Akhlaghpoor Taraneh Hosseinipoor
Novin Medical Radiation Institute, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Objective: Fetal heart rate (FHR) variation during chorionic villus sampling (CVS) is a controversial topic. Limited
studies have been published on this subject. Our study intended to evaluate the effects of CVS on the FHR.

Method: One hundred and sixty-five patients undergoing first-trimester elective CVS for prenatal diagnosis of
ß-thalassemia were entered into a prospective study. Mmode FHR was obtained before and immediately after
CVS in the patients. Potentially confounding variables also recorded included: gestational age, number of needle
passes and placental location.

Results: FHR values before and after CVS were compared using the paired t test and showed no statistically significant differences by 95% confidence. No differences were found in data analyzing gestational age, number of needle passes or placental location.

Conclusion: We were unable to detect any significant change in FHR after performing CVS. It seems that FHR is generally not altered by CVS.