Electronic Fetal Heart Rate Monitoring, 3rd Edition

ISBN: 9781284090338
ISBN-10: 1284090337
Copyright: 2018
Edition: 3rd
Author: Parer, Julian T., King, Tekoa L., Ikeda, Tomoaki,
Doody's Expert Review    Score: 77
Reviewer: Anthony Shanks,  MD  (Indiana University School of Medicine)
Description
This is the third edition of a clear and elegant reference on electronic fetal heart rate monitoring (EFM). The novel concept of a five-tier staging system is proposed and defended, adding a unique angle to books on this topic.
Purpose
The purpose is to present the pathophysiology behind electronic fetal monitoring, then provide ways to interpret and manage different patterns. These are good objectives and the authors do a good job with them.
Audience
The book is written at the level of practitioner, although residents learning about EFM would appreciate it.
Features
As other EFM books have done, this one provides the pathophysiology behind monitoring and the rationale behind abnormalities. Figures and tables are excellent, although the color chart -- presented on the inside cover -- is the stand out. The three-tiered system commonplace in ACOG and modern obstetrics is defined and debated. This book is unique in updating content to reflect a proposed five-tier system that further characterizes abnormal tracings. This wrinkle adds to the readability of a potentially dry topic. I also found the management strategies for abnormal tracings particularly useful. I used this book while creating a talk for interns and found it very insightful. I appreciate the historical mentions, including about the metal pessaries that were used to characterize early decelerations.
Assessment
This is an excellent reference and one that I will be going back to often. It is easy to read and, more importantly, interesting to read.
Review Questionnaire
Range Question Score
1-10 Are the author's objectives met? 8
1-10 Rate the worthiness of those objectives. 8
1-5 Is this written at an appropriate level? 5
1-5 Is there significant duplication? (1=significant, 5=insignificant) 3
1-5 Are there significant omissions? (1=significant, 5=insignificant) 3
1-5 Rate the authority of the authors. 3
1-5 Are there sufficient illustrations? 5
1-5 Rate the pedagogic value of the illustrations. 4
1-5 Rate the print quality of the illustrations. 4
1-5 Are there sufficient references? 3
1-5 Rate the currency of the references. 4
1-5 Rate the pertinence of the references. 4
1-5 Rate the helpfulness of the index. 3
1-5 If important in this specialty, rate the physical appearance of the book 4
1-10 Is this a worthwhile contribution to the field? 8
1-10 If this is a 2nd or later edition, is this new edition needed? 8