Related Experiment Videos
Evaluation of creatine kinase level during long-term tocolysis
Yoshio Matsuda1, Yumiko Nagayoshi, Nami Kirihara
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kagoshima City Hospital, Kagoshima. ymatsuda@obgy.twmu.ac.jp
Journal of Perinatal Medicine
|January 18, 2003
Summary
Tocolytic therapy, particularly with ritodrine hydrochloride and magnesium sulfate for over a week, can lead to elevated creatine kinase (CK) levels in nearly a quarter of patients. Monitoring CK is important during prolonged treatment.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Pharmacology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Tocolytic therapy is used to inhibit premature labor.
- Prolonged tocolysis may have biochemical side effects.
- Serum creatine kinase (CK) is a marker of muscle damage.
Discussion:
- This retrospective study evaluated serum CK levels in 27 patients receiving intravenous tocolytic agents for over one week.
- Patients were treated with ritodrine hydrochloride and magnesium sulfate (MgSO4).
- Serum CK was measured on admission and weekly thereafter.
Key Insights:
- CK levels rose significantly in all patients from admission to day 7 (p = 0.002).
- Abnormal CK elevation (> 150 IU/L) occurred in 25.9% of patients.
- Patients with abnormal CK levels received higher doses of both ritodrine and MgSO4 (p = 0.046 and p = 0.0028, respectively).
- All patients with elevated CK received combination therapy with ritodrine and MgSO4 (p = 0.018).
Outlook:
- Further research is needed to elucidate the exact mechanism of CK elevation during tocolytic therapy.
- Clinical guidelines may need to consider routine CK monitoring for patients on prolonged tocolysis.
- Investigating alternative tocolytic agents with lower risks of muscle-related side effects is warranted.