title: Uterine rupture associated with recent antepartum cocaine abuse.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The diagnosis of uterine rupture is aided by the identification of risk factors, such as oxytocin administration. In several experiments, cocaine has been shown to stimulate uterine contractility. Complications from cocaine abuse during pregnancy have increased dramatically in the United States, and cocaine may increase the risk for uterine rupture.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two cases of uterine rupture were associated with recent cocaine abuse.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These cases and recent experiments on the effect of cocaine on the pregnant uterus suggest that antepartum cocaine abuse may increase the risk of uterine rupture.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
authors.forename: B K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Iriye
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Bristow
authors.forename: C D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bruni
authors.forename: T R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003042:Cocaine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D014597:Uterine Rupture / Q000139:chemically induced*
chemical_list: D003042:Cocaine