title: Maternal and fetal side effects of tocolysis using transdermal nitroglycerin or intravenous fenoterol combined with magnesium sulfate.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the maternal and fetal side effects of transdermal nitroglycerin and intravenous fenoterol combined with magnesium sulfate in a prospective randomised study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty pregnant women between 27 and 35 weeks of gestation with preterm labour were treated with either nitroglycerin (0.4-0.8 mg/h) or fenoterol (60 - 120 microg/h). Outcome parameters were (1) the effects on fetal and maternal heart frequency (FHF/MHF) and blood pressure, and (2) subjective experiences of adverse effects assessed by utilising a questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the fenoterol group, elevated mean MHF, FHF and systolic blood pressure were recorded compared to nitroglycerin. Fewer maternal side effects were reported in the nitroglycerin group. Palpitations (82%), tremor (68%) and restlessness (64%) were most common in the fenoterol group (two drop-outs), whereas nitroglycerin caused headaches in 71% of the cases (four drop-outs).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Transdermal nitroglycerin appears to be a safe therapy for the mother and fetus and is a promising new option for the treatment of preterm labour.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Bachstrasse18, 07740, Jena, Germany. ekkehard.scheussner@med.uni-jena.de
authors.forename: Ekkehard
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Schleussner
authors.forename: Arne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Möller
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Gross
authors.forename: Christiane
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kähler
authors.forename: Udo
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Möller
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Richter
authors.forename: Hans Joachim
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Seewald
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005280:Fenoterol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005333:Fetus / Q000187:drug effects*; D005858:Germany; D006261:Headache / Q000139:chemically induced; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects*; D006340:Heart Rate, Fetal / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005996:Nitroglycerin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000188:drug therapy; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015145:Tocolysis / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D015149:Tocolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014202:Tremor / Q000139:chemically induced
chemical_list: D015149:Tocolytic Agents; D005280:Fenoterol; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate; D005996:Nitroglycerin