[Effectiveness and safety of atosiban vs. pulsatile administration of fenoterol in the treatment of preterm labour].
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and side effects of atosiban with those of fenoterol (pulsatile administration) for acute tocolysis.


METHODS
A prospective, open-label, randomised controlled trial was performed. Patients in preterm labour at 24+0 to 33+6 weeks of gestation were randomised to receive atosiban (A) or fenoterol (F) pulsatile administration. Primary outcome was the arrest of preterm labour.


RESULTS
The proportion of woman remaining undelivered at 48 hours (86.3% atosiban group and 79.6% fenoterol group) and at 7 days (78.4% vs. 66.7%) was comparable. The incidence of maternal cardiovascular side effects was lower in the atosiban group (4% vs. 78%, p=0.0). Tocolysis was terminated as a result of maternal adverse effects in the fenoterol group (9%). Fetal tachycardia was lower in the atosiban group (2% vs. 22%). The mean duration of tocolytic administration was lower in the atosiban group (19 h vs. 24.5 h, p<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The adverse effects in the pulsatile administration of fenoterol for short duration were only dependent on the initial dosage for the arrest of preterm labour. Neonatal outcome were similar between the treatment groups and were rather related to the gestational age not to the tocolytic agent.


CONCLUSIONS
Atosiban was comparable in clinical effectiveness and was associated with fewer maternal and fetal adverse effects, so that fenoterol cannot be recommended. Completion of tocolytic therapy 12 hours after arrest of preterm labour is effective and associated with a short mean duration.
Klinik für Geburtsmedizin, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin. Andreas.Nonnenmacher@Charite.de
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Nonnenmacher
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Hopp
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Dudenhausen
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005280:Fenoterol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D006727:Hormone Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011247:Pregnancy; D015149:Tocolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014668:Vasotocin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D055815:Young Adult
D006727:Hormone Antagonists; D015149:Tocolytic Agents; C047046:atosiban; D005280:Fenoterol; D014668:Vasotocin