Experiences with fetal phonocardiographic telemonitoring and future possibilities.

Phonocardiography (PCG) makes possible the examination of some fetal cardiac anomalies which otherwise usually remain undetected during pregnancy. The application of PCG in a telemonitoring system enhances its diagnostic capabilities, allowing long-term measurements even at home. The paper summarizes the intensive fetal monitoring campaign carried out in Hungary during the last three years that yielded useful experience regarding recent and future possibilities of fetal monitoring. Results collected from a large number of measurements suggest that PCG home monitoring may be a suitable screening method for fetal congenital heart diseases, even if surgical intervention in this phase of pregnancy is not easy.