A randomised trial to determine whether CTG monitoring with a computerised decision aide can improve pregnancy outcomes

ISRCTN ISRCTN46449237
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN46449237
Secondary identifying numbers N/A
Submission date
08/09/2014
Registration date
02/10/2014
Last edited
30/08/2016
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Pregnancy and Childbirth
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
A cardiotocography (CTG) machine is used during labour to monitor both the baby's heart rate and the mother’s contractions while the baby is still in the womb. Doctors and midwives use this information to see how the baby is doing and to help them in deciding what action to take should problems occur. However, CTG data can be difficult to understand, which can mean that the best decisions are not always made. Computerised decision aides that improve the understanding of CTG data may help to prevent such poor decisions. This study is an early phase trial to see whether a computerised decision aide can improve the chances of a safe and successful delivery among women who were monitored using a CTG with an aide compared to women who were monitored using CTG alone.

Who can participate?
Women aged over 18 who are pregnant with one baby. Upon admission to the labour ward, the baby should be in cephalic position (head down) and have no structural abnormalities.

What does the study involve?
Upon admission to the labour ward, each participant is randomly allocated into one of two groups. Those in the treatment group are monitored with a CTG connected to a computerised decision support aide. Those in the control group receive standard care (i.e. a CTG machine with no computerised decision support aide). Obstetric data is collected regarding the delivery for the study.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Since the decision aide is designed to help clinical decision making, possible benefits of participating in the study include a reduced risk of an infant experiencing a shortage of oxygen (hypoxia) and unnecessary Caesarean delivery. Women not given the treatment will receive standard care according to hospital protocol. Thus, given the non-invasive nature of the decision aide the likelihood of risks are very small.

Where is the study run from?
The Second Municipal Hospital for Obstetrics and Gynecology Sheynovo, Sofia (Bulgaria)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run?
March 2008 to March 2011

Who is funding the study?
1. Bulgarian Christmas 2013-2014 Charity Initiative (Bulgaria)
2. Sheynovo - Second Municipal Hospital for Obstetrics and Gynaecology (Bulgaria)

Who is the main contact?
Dr. Peter Ignatov
ignatov@orthogyn.com

Contact information

Dr Peter Ignatov
Scientific

41-43 Skobelev bul.
Sofia
1606
Bulgaria

Study information

Study designRandomised control trial 1:1 computer-generated randomisation sequence; permuted blocks with randomly varied block sizes (10, 20)
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typePrevention
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet
Scientific titleIndirect quantitative cardiotocography (qCTG) versus indirect standard cardiography plus fetal blood sampling (CTG+FBS) - a randomised comparative study in intrapartum monitoring
Study objectivesWe hypothesise that the incidence of hypoxia, acidaemia and operative delivery due to foetal distress will be reduced in women monitored with a cardiotocography (CTG) machine with a decision aide versus women monitored with CTG alone. The null hypothesis is that there will be no difference between treatment groups. A null association may occur if the decision aide does not adequately discriminate between normal and abnormal CTG traces.
Ethics approval(s)The Second Municipal Hospital for Obstetrics and Gynecology Sheynovo, Sofia, Bulgaria, 19/02/2008, ref. 00134/19.02.2008
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedCTG monitoring with a decision aide to reduce Caesarean delivery
InterventionParticipants are randomly allocated to one of two groups:
1. Intervention group receive CTG with an a decision aide
2. Control group receive CTG only (and fetal blood sampling, if necessary)
Intervention typeOther
Primary outcome measure1. Occurrence of hypoxia (pH <7.20)
2. Occurrence of acidaemia (pH <7.05)
3. Caesarean delivery
4. Forceps extraction
Secondary outcome measures1. Apgar score <7 at 5 minutes
2. Neonatal seizures
3. Admission to NICU

All outcomes are immediately after birth with the exception of neonatal seizures and NICU admission. Neonatal seizures and NICU admission are within the first 24 hours after delivery
Overall study start date14/03/2008
Completion date14/03/2011

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
SexFemale
Target number of participants720
Key inclusion criteriaWomen admitted to labour ward who:
1. Were aged 18 years and older
2. Had a singleton pregnancy
3. Had an baby in cephalic position
4. Presented with no ultrasound/laboratory evidence of structural abnormalities of the baby
Key exclusion criteriaWomen admitted to labour ward who:
1. Were aged <18 years
2. Had multiple gestations
3. Had a baby with an abnormal lie
4. Had a baby with known structural abnormalities as confirmed through ultrasound of laboratory testing
Date of first enrolment14/03/2008
Date of final enrolment14/03/2011

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • Bulgaria

Study participating centre

41-43 Skobelev bul.
Sofia
1606
Bulgaria

Sponsor information

Second Municipal Hospital for Obstetrics and Gynaecology Sheynovo / Bulgarian Christmas 2007-2011 Charity Initiative (Bulgaria)
Other

19 Sheynovo str. / 2 Dondukov str.
Sofia
1504 / 1123
Bulgaria

Funders

Funder type

Other

Bulgarian Christmas 2013-2014 Charity Initiative (Bulgaria)

No information available

Sheynovo - Second Municipal Hospital for Obstetrics and Gynaecology (Bulgaria)

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryNot provided at time of registration
Publication and dissemination planNot provided at time of registration
IPD sharing plan

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Results article results 01/10/2016 Yes No

Editorial Notes

30/08/2016: Publication reference added.