Limitations in equine fetal electrocardiography

Technical and interpretive limitations of equine fetal electrocardiography were evaluated in recordings obtained from 45 pregnant mares. Technical limitations were related to the small amplitude of the fetal electrocardiogram and the variability in the lead configuration providing the best recording. It was found that recording the fetal electrocardiogram at high sensitivity and high base-line fidelity in several different leads was necessary to obtain satisfactory tracings. Interpretive limitations were related in part to the small amplitude of the fetal electrocardiogram and to the marked variability in heart rate between fetuses. The great variability in normal fetal heart rate makes a diagnosis of fetal tachycardia or distress unless serial tracings are available.