title: Terbutaline (intravenous bolus) for the treatment of acute intrapartum fetal distress.
abstract: beta 2-Sympathomimetics have been used in acute intrapartum fetal distress to abolish uterine contractions and thus enable the fetal metabolism to recover before delivery. Because some serious complications were reported when a terbutaline intravenous bolus (0.25 mg) was used as a tocolytic, we assessed its safety and efficacy when used in patients not affected by cardiovascular disease, tachycardia greater than 100 beats/min, thyrotoxicosis, fluid overload, corticoids, atropine, or severe abruptio placentae. No maternal or fetal complications occurred in the 36 patients studied; a well-tolerated tachycardia developed in most patients. Fetal heart rate tracings and pH improved in 32 patients. Thirty-four neonates were delivered in good clinical and metabolic condition. We conclude that terbutaline intravenous bolus 0.25 mg is a safe and efficacious procedure when the proper indications and contraindications are followed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chicago Medical School, University of Health Sciences, IL.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shekarloo
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mendez-Bauer
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Cook
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Freese
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000378:metabolism; D005316:Fetal Distress / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005318:Fetal Heart; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012535:Scalp / Q000098:blood supply; D013726:Terbutaline / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D013726:Terbutaline