BACKGROUND:

The analysis of the surface myoelectric activity of the uterus electrohysterogram (EHG) has proved to be one of the most promising biophysical markers for the evaluation of uterine contractions and the electrophysiological state of the uterus. However, despite the emerging evidence that the analysis of EHG provides valuable clinical information, there has not been a meaningful effort to apply this technique for clinical monitoring.

OBJECTIVE:

To show the available evidence of the usefulness of electrohysterography in the clinical field as a technique for uterine monitoring.

METHODOLOGY:

a literature search was performed in PubMed, Google Scholar and Scopus databases with the following keywords: electrohysterogram, uterine electromyography and electrohysterography.

RESULTS:

65 original research papers, 5 review papers and 1 book chapter with adequate methodology, clarity and clinical relevance were selected according to the focus of the clinical application of the EHG.

CONCLUSION:

Conventional monitoring of uterine activity lack the ability to accurately diagnose dystocias during labor. On the other hand, the analysis of electrohysterographic recordings has made possible to elucidate alterations in the uterine electrical activity by providing information of the functional state of the uterus, and even, to predict possible complications during labor.