title: Impact of the nitric oxide-donor pentaerythrityl-tetranitrate on perinatal outcome in risk pregnancies: a prospective, randomized, double-blinded trial.
abstract: Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and preeclampsia (PE) are associated with impaired placentation. Patients who are at risk of developing both these disorders can be identified by abnormal uterine artery Doppler at mid-trimester pregnancy. Nitric oxide (NO)-donors like pentaerithrityl-tetranitrate (PETN) reduce the impedance in the uteroplacental vessels and possess protecting effects on the endothelium. We tested the effectiveness of the NO-donor PETN for secondary prevention of IUGR, PE, and preterm birth in pregnancies at risk. Some 111 women who presented with abnormal placental perfusion at 19-24 weeks of gestation (w.o.g.) were included into a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded study. The primary endpoint was IUGR and/or perinatal death. Secondary endpoints were preterm birth, PE, and placental abruption. Pentaerithrityl-tetranitrate significantly decreased the risk for IUGR and/or perinatal death [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 0.410; 95% confidence interval, CI, 0.184-0.914] and for IUGR (adjusted OR 0.436; 95% CI 0.196-0.970). Preterm birth before 32 w.o.g. (adjusted OR 0.204; 95% CI 0.052-0.801) was reduced, but not the risk for PE. No placental abruption occurred in the PETN, but five occurred in the placebo group [corrected]. These results suggest that secondary prophylaxis of adverse pregnancy outcome might be feasible in pregnancies exhibiting abnormal placentation using PETN.
authors.forename: Ekkehard
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Schleussner
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lehmann
authors.forename: Christiane
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kähler
authors.forename: Uwe
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.forename: Dietmar
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schlembach
authors.forename: Tanja
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Groten
mesh_terms: D000037:Abruptio Placentae / Q000517:prevention & control; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000517:prevention & control; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D020030:Nitric Oxide Donors / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010417:Pentaerythritol Tetranitrate / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D066087:Perinatal Death / Q000517:prevention & control; D010920:Placenta / Q000098:blood supply; D010922:Placenta Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D010929:Placentation; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D018566:Pregnancy, High-Risk; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000517:prevention & control; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D055988:Uterine Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D020030:Nitric Oxide Donors; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D010417:Pentaerythritol Tetranitrate