AIMS AND CONTENT

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the course, students will be able to:

• understand the physiology of fetal heart rate and uterine activity;
• explain the principles and indications of cardiotocographic monitoring during pregnancy and labour;
• identify and describe the main components of a cardiotocographic tracing, including baseline fetal heart rate, variability, accelerations, decelerations, and uterine contractions;
• interpret cardiotocographic tracings according to current national and international guidelines;
• integrate cardiotocographic findings with the maternal and fetal clinical condition and other elements of midwifery care;
• recognize normal and abnormal fetal heart rate patterns, identifying situations that require timely referral and multidisciplinary management;
• develop clinical reasoning and professional communication skills in the use and interpretation of cardiotocographic monitoring, with the aim of promoting maternal and fetal safety.

TEACHING METHODS

Knowledge is transmitted through lectures alternating with active learning methodologies, such as group work, study of clinical cases.

Students with SLD, disability or other special educational needs certification are strongly encouraged to contact the teachers at the beginning of the course to agree on teaching methods which, respecting the teaching objectives, take into account individual learning methods and provide suitable compensatory instruments.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

This course covers the theoretical principles and clinical applications of cardiotocography (CTG) as a tool for fetal surveillance during pregnancy and labour. The following topics will be addressed:

• Historical development of cardiotocography and the clinical rationale for fetal monitoring.
• Physiology of fetal oxygenation and fetal adaptive responses to hypoxia.
• Structure, operating principles, and technical features of cardiotocography equipment.
• External and internal methods for monitoring fetal heart rate and uterine activity.
• Practical application of CTG, including Leopold's manoeuvres and the correct procedure for CTG recording.
• Indications for antepartum and intrapartum fetal monitoring, with particular emphasis on high-risk pregnancies, induction of labour, and the main clinical scenarios requiring continuous surveillance.
• Systematic interpretation of cardiotocographic tracings through the assessment of:
  • baseline fetal heart rate;
  • variability and cycling;
  • accelerations;
  • decelerations;
  • uterine activity.
• Pathophysiology of abnormal CTG findings and recognition of patterns suggestive of acute, subacute, chronic, and gradually evolving fetal hypoxia.
• Comparison of the main national and international guidelines for CTG interpretation (Italian Guidelines, FIGO, NICE, and ACOG), together with an overview of the physiological approach to CTG interpretation based on the most recent scientific evidence.
• Discussion of clinical cases and practical exercises aimed at developing critical interpretation skills and supporting clinical decision-making in fetal monitoring.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Chandraharan E. (Ed.). Cardiotocography Interpretation Manual: From CTG Patterns to Physiology.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

See calendar published on aulaweb

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

ORAL

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Analysis of a cardiotocographic trace.

Students with SLD or other regularly certified special educational needs will be able to agree on written or oral modalities with the teacher, by contacting the teachers at least 10 days before the exam. They can also take advantage of 30% additional time.