Effects of terbutaline sulfate on fetal cardiac function.
An isolated heart preparation was used to study the effects of terbutaline sulfate (Brethine) on fetal cardiac function. Pregnant guinea pigs received daily subcutaneous injections of terbutaline for 10 day, whereas a control group received placebo injections. Fetal guinea pig hearts were evaluated for cariodynamic and pathologic differences. Fetuses exposed to terbutaline demonstrated a higher mean heart rate (p less than 0.01), a higher mean heart weight (p less than 0.05), a higher mean heart weight/body weight ratio (p less than 0.01), and a trend toward higher left ventricular systolic pressure levels (p less than 0.1). These hemodynamic responses in fetuses exposed to terbutaline may result in increased functional demands that may predispose myocardial tissue to damage.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 27599-7570.
R
R
Petersen
L S
LS
Carter
N C
NC
Chescheir
V L
VL
Katz
R C
RC
Cefalo
D000818:Animals; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005318:Fetal Heart / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006340:Heart Rate, Fetal / Q000187:drug effects; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011897:Random Allocation; D013726:Terbutaline / Q000494:pharmacology*
D013726:Terbutaline