[Clinical application of combined beta 2-stimulation and beta 1-blockade in tocolysis (author's transl)]

35 pregnant women were treated with the semiselective beta 2-stimulating compound fenoterol because of threatening premature labor. The efficiency of tocolysis and the cardiovascular effects of a mono-therapy with fenoterol were compared with a combined therapy with the beta 1-blocking compound metoprolol by the following parameters: Heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, left ventricular dimensions and mean Vcf as determined by echocardiography, pelvic score, tocolysis-index and tocolysis-success-score (Weidinger-score). Metoprolol caused a remarkable and highly significant reduction of the fenoterol-induced cardiac effects: increase of heart rate and augmentation of mean Vcf; the blood pressure was significantly lowered by metoprolol. The tocolytic effect of fenoterol in no respect was blunted by metoprolol.