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Cardiopulmonary effects of betamimetic tocolytic and glucocorticoid therapy in pregnant women

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Summary

In 35 present women, undergoing tocolytic treatment with betamimetics had intensive monitoring by balloon-tipped catheter. After the administration of 2–4 μg/min of fenoterol the cardiac output (CO) increased from 8.2 l/min to over 11 l/min with a corresponding increase in mean pulmonary artery pressure (MPAP) from 11.7 mmHg to over 18 mmHg. The correlation coefficient between MPAP/CO was highly significant. In the 10 patients in whom we were able to monitor pulmonary capillary pressure (PCP), we observed no significant increase to suggest compromised cardiac performance. The calculated total resistance of the pulmonary vessels (TPR) decreased during the first 24h followed by a return to initial values. Our investigations suggest that the principal cardiovascular effect of betamime-tics in pregnant women is a volume-dependent increase in pressure in the pulmonary circulation. The simultaneous administration of betamethasone had no additional effects.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Frauenklinik (Direktor: Prof. Dr. A. Bolte), Universität zu Köln, Kerpener Str. 34, D-5000, Köln 41, Germany

    F. Wolff & A. Bolte

  2. Medizinische Klinik III, Kardiologie (Direktor: Prof. Dr. H. H. Hilger), Universität zu Köln, Kerpener Str. 34, D-5000, Köln 41, Germany

    V. Carstens & D. Behrenbeck

  3. Institut für Experimentelle Medizin (Direktor: Prof. Dr. W. Isselhard) Universität zu Köln, Kerpener Str. 34, D-5000, Köln 41, Germany

    J. H. Fischer

Authors
  1. F. Wolff
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  2. V. Carstens
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  3. J. H. Fischer
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  4. D. Behrenbeck
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  5. A. Bolte
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Wolff, F., Carstens, V., Fischer, J.H. et al. Cardiopulmonary effects of betamimetic tocolytic and glucocorticoid therapy in pregnant women. Arch. Gynecol. 239, 49–58 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02134288

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02134288

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