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Published on: January 12, 2018
A prospective, randomized trial of nifedipine vs. ritodrine in threatened preterm labor
J A García-Velasco1, A González González
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, La Paz Hospital, Autonoma University, Madrid, Spain. jagarciav@meditex.es
Objectives:
To compare the tocolytic efficacy and maternal tolerance of nifedipine with ritodrine in the management of threatened preterm labor.
Methods:
Prospective randomized study of 52 singleton pregnancies with preterm labor between 26 and 34 week's gestation. The capacity to delay delivery 48 h, 7 days, until week 36 or until fetal weight reached 2500 g were the outcome variables assessed. Doppler ultrasound studies were performed on the fetal umbilical artery as control.
Results:
No significant differences were found in the delay of delivery, but significantly fewer maternal side-effects were found in the nifedipine group. Doppler ultrasound results were similar in both groups.
Conclusions:
Nifedipine is a valid and well-tolerated alternative among the tocolytic drugs, and apparently does not significantly alter fetal vascular blood flow.
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