[Cardiovascular effect of fenoterol (Partusisten)]

8 normotensive late pregnant women in the early latent phase of premature labor were examined before, during and after the intravenous pump infusion of fenoterol (Partusisten) with the method of quantitative sphygmometry, the bloodless graphic registration of the arterial blood pressure and the direct electronic timing of pulse wave velocity. Dose levels of fenoterol were 3 microgram/min and 6 microgram/min. During the administration of fenoterol systolic blood pressure increases insignificantly, but mean and diastolic pressure decrease distinctly with broadening of amplitude. Stroke volume, cardiac output, work and power of the heart increase significantly. The fall of the total peripheral resistance is much more pronounciated than the decrease of blood pressure. Therefore the hemodynamic mode of action of fenoterol is a favourable one in regard to the perfusion of peripheral tissues. The effects on the cardiovascular system in a dose level usual for tocolysis are smaller than those of nylidrin.