PO-01-207 VERNIX CASEOSA DISTRIBUTION MODULATES NON-INVASIVE FETAL ECG SIGNAL: A COMPUTATIONAL STUDY

Non-invasive fetal ECG (FECG) shows promise as a diagnostic method to monitor health. However, extracting the cardiac signal remains challenge due low signal-to-noise ratio. An important factor is low-conducting layer which forms around fetus from week 28 of gestation called vernix caseosa (VC). We developed an anatomically detailed and biophysically accurate computational model pregnant torso investigate effects VC on FECG. The was constructed by combining geometries woman with 24 infant ventricles (a). Ionic current properties maternal heart modelled using Ten Tusscher human ventricular cardiomyocyte model, while modified version adapted match electrophysiology used for heart. 22 distribution patterns generated combinations 3 regions 4 thickness. No case control. Electrical propagation simulated pseudo-bidomain formulation. Sinus rhythm baseline cycle 500 ms 450 hearts, respectively. When represented homogeneous, changing thickness 0.5 mm resulted in reduction QRS maximum amplitude 6 x 10-5 10-6 mV (c). heterogeneous models, there no significant difference changed (d). location significantly affected (e). only covering head almost identical control relative measure 1.35%. introduction back greatest potential ranging between 34.5 49%. have novel, highly-detailed that how affects This can be improve techniques FECG at different gestational stages.