Uterine and fetal Doppler flow changes after misoprostol and oxytocin therapy for induction of labor in post-term pregnancies.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the effect of misoprostol vs. oxytocin on blood flow in uteroplacental circulation during labor induction.


METHODS
Ninety-one women with indications for induction of labor were assigned to receive either misoprostol 50 microg per vagina every 4 h as needed or intravenous oxytocin by means of a randomization table generated by computer. Doppler velocimetry of umbilical, uterine and arcuate arteries was performed immediately before and 2-3 h after administration of misoprostol or oxytocin. Pulsatility index (PI), resistance index (RI) and systolic/diastolic (S/D) ratios were measured for these arteries. The SAS system was used to perform statistical analysis.


RESULTS
There were no significant changes of PI, RI and S/D ratios in umbilical arteries during misoprostol and oxytocin inductions. Vaginal application of misoprostol significantly increased PI, RI and S/D ratios in arcuate arteries and S/D ratio in uterine arteries.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results indicate that intravaginal misoprostol administration increases uteroplacental resistance but probably does not substantially affect placental perfusion.
Lemancewicz
A
A
Department of Perinatology, Bialystok Medical School, Poland. lemanc@cksr.ac.bialystok.pl
Urban
R
R
Skotnicki
M Z
MZ
Karpiuk
A
A
Urban
J
J
D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007751:Labor, Induced; D016595:Misoprostol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010120:Oxytocics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D021041:Placental Circulation / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011273:Pregnancy, Prolonged; D011673:Pulsatile Flow / Q000187:drug effects; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000187:drug effects; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000187:drug effects
D010120:Oxytocics; D016595:Misoprostol; D010121:Oxytocin