The effects of ritodrine and magnesium sulfate on maternal and fetal Doppler blood flow patterns in women with preterm labor.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effects of ritodrine and magnesium sulfate on maternal-fetal blood flows.


METHODS
A total of 85 pregnant women between 26th and 36th weeks with preterm labor, and 83 healthy pregnant women were included. Patients in the study group were randomly assigned to receive either ritodrine (with the addition of verapamil) (n=46) or magnesium sulfate (n=39). Blood flow examinations on the umbilical artery (UA), middle cerebral artery (MCA), bilateral uterine arteries (Ut.A) and ductus venosus (DV) were performed before and 48 h after initiating therapy.


RESULTS
UA pulsatility index (PI) significantly differed in women receiving tocolysis compared to controls after 48 h. DV PI increased in women receiving MgSO(4), whereas it decreased in the ritodrine and control groups. Ut.A values did not significantly change after 48 h in the groups. In women between the 26th and 32nd weeks, UA, MCA and DV PI did not significantly change after 48 h in the three groups. However, in women between the 32nd and 36th weeks UA and MCA PI significantly differed in the treatment groups compared to controls after 48 h. DV PI increased in women receiving MgSO(4), whereas it decreased in the ritodrine and control groups.


CONCLUSIONS
MgSO(4) and ritodrine affect blood flow patterns after 48 h in some maternal-fetal vessels. These effects on blood flow are particularly significant in women between 32nd and 36th weeks. The effects of both drugs on fetal and maternal Doppler flows seem similar, except the increased resistance to flow in DV in women receiving MgSO(4).
Sayin
N Cenk
NC
Trakya University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Edirne, Turkey. ncsayin@yahoo.com
Arda
Sezer
S
Varol
Füsun G
FG
Süt
Necdet
N
D000328:Adult; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D020768:Middle Cerebral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011673:Pulsatile Flow / Q000187:drug effects; D012312:Ritodrine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015149:Tocolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000187:drug effects; D014469:Umbilical Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects; D014471:Umbilical Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects; D055988:Uterine Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects; D014700:Verapamil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D055815:Young Adult
D015149:Tocolytic Agents; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate; D014700:Verapamil; D012312:Ritodrine