Influence of the beta 1-adrenoceptor blocker atenolol on antenatal cardiotocography.
Forty term patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension were treated with the beta 1-adrenoceptor blocker atenolol (Tenormin R; ICI) for at least 7 days prior to parturition. The antenatal cardiotocography (CTG) was visually analysed before and during treatment. The mean basal fetal heart rate (FHR) decreased from 143 +/- 7 beats per minute (bpm) to 133 +/- 8 bpm. In 13.1% of the recordings in treated patients there was a decrease in long-term variability for a period of more than 20 minutes; this was observed in only 2.3% prior to treatment. The amplitude of the accelerations was reduced from 23 +/- 6 bpm to 18 +/- 4 bpm. It was demonstrated that atenolol affected antenatal CTG, and this has to be taken into consideration when interpreting antenatal CTG as one parameter for evaluation of fetal well-being.
D001034:Apgar Score; D001262:Atenolol / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001724:Birth Weight; D005260:Female; D005318:Fetal Heart / Q000187:drug effects*; D005323:Fetal Monitoring; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000188:drug therapy*
D001262:Atenolol