Maternal and uteroplacental hemodynamic effects of chronic captopril in the hypertensive, term-pregnant rat.
The chronic effects of captopril on maternal hemodynamics and organ perfusion were investigated in 10 untreated and 10 captopril-treated pregnant spontaneously hypertensive rats by means of the radioactive-labeled microsphere technique. The normal decrease in blood pressure during gestation was prevented by reduction of litter size to two conceptuses on day 7 of gestation. Captopril (approximately 10 mg/kg/day) or drug vehicle (50% ethyl alcohol) was administered intraperitoneally by an osmotic pump from day 7 to 21. At term mean arterial pressure was 23% lower in the captopril-treated group as the result of a 29% decrease in total peripheral resistance without a significant change in cardiac output. The decrease in total peripheral resistance was primarily caused by a decline in splanchnic and skin resistances. Maternal organ and uteroplacental perfusion were not significantly altered. We conclude that administration of captopril during the last 2 weeks of pregnancy in the hypertensive rat effectively lowers maternal blood pressure without adverse effects on organ and uteroplacental perfusion.
Mabie
W C
WC
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Tennessee-Memphis 38103.
Ahokas
R A
RA
Sibai
B M
BM
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002216:Captopril / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects*; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010920:Placenta / Q000098:blood supply*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D051381:Rats; D011918:Rats, Inbred SHR; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000187:drug effects; D013152:Splanchnic Circulation / Q000187:drug effects; D013997:Time Factors; D014599:Uterus / Q000098:blood supply*; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000187:drug effects
D002216:Captopril