title: Propranolol and oxytocin versus oxytocin alone for induction and augmentation of labor: a meta-analysis of randomized trials.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We sought to study the effect of propranolol co-administration with oxytocin during the latent and active phases of labor on labor outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  We searched Medline, Scopus, ClinicalTrials.gov and Cochrane Central Register databases. The meta-analysis was performed with the RevMan 5.1 software. Six studies were included in the present meta-analysis which enrolled 609 parturient.
  
  
  RESULTS
  According to the findings of our study, propranolol administration during the latent phase effectively reduces the cesarean section rates (OR 0.49, 95 % CI 0.27, 0.89). However, this beneficial effect is not observed during the active phase of labor. The 5 min neonatal Apgar scores are not influenced by its administration (MD -0.07, 95 % CI -0.017, 0.02). Respectively, the neonatal admissions to a NICU are similar to those of neonates exposed only to oxytocin (OR 0.96, 95 % CI 0.36, 2.53).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Propranolol's effect on the duration of the various stages of labor was underreported, however, evidence seem to support that it shortens the latent phase and possibly the total duration of labor. Firm results are, however, precluded due to the low number enrolled parturient and due to the significant methodological heterogeneity of included studies.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research N.S. Christeas, Athens, Greece. pergialiotis@yahoo.com.|, 6, Danaidon Str., 15232, Halandri, Greece. pergialiotis@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Vasilios
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pergialiotis
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research N.S. Christeas, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Maximos
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Frountzas
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research N.S. Christeas, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Anastasia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Prodromidou
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research N.S. Christeas, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Sofia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Prapa
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research N.S. Christeas, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Despina N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Perrea
authors.affiliation: First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Athens University Medical School, Alexandra Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Georgios D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Vlachos
mesh_terms: D002585:Cesarean Section; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007743:Labor, Obstetric / Q000187:drug effects*; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010120:Oxytocics / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011433:Propranolol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D010120:Oxytocics; D010121:Oxytocin; D011433:Propranolol
keywords: Active phase; Apgar; Cesarean section; Latent phase; Neonatal; Propranolol