ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of transdermal Nitroglycerine patch in idiopathic pre-term labour and foetomaternal outcome. METHODS: This quasi-experimental study was conducted at the Obstetrics Unit-II of Shaikh Zayed Hospital for Women, Chandka Medical College, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical University, Larkana, from Jan 1 to June 30, 2010. Sixtyfive pregnant women at 28-34 weeks of gestation were recruited after they met the selection criteria based on non-probability consecutive sampling. Initially, 73 patients were selected, but 65 of them completed the treatment, while 8 patients refused to continue. Patients diagnosed with pre-term labour were given glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) 5 mg/12 hours transdermal patch which was applied on the anterior abdominal wall. The second patch of same dose was given after 12 hours. Arrest of labour, prolongation of pregnancy in days or weeks along with side effects of the agent were monitored. Patients were followed till delivery to know the foeto-maternal outcome. RESULTS: Dramatic effects were seen in around 60 (92.3%), of the total patients who had felt relief from premature labour pains within the first hour and only 5 (7.6%) patients could not go beyond 24 hours, as among them 3 (4.61%) had previous uterine scar and 2 (3.07%) developed ruptured membranes after 12 hours of admission and their babies also could not survive. Mean pregnancy prolongation was 15.35 +/- 9.45 days (min: 4 max: 35), so delivery was deferred up to 48 hours, 3 to 7 days and more than 7 days in 4 (6.15%), 6 (9.23%) and 50 (76.92%) respectively. CONCLUSION: Glyceryl trinitrate, trans dermal patch is effective and safe tocolytic in idiopathic preterm labour. By prolonging pregnancy it improves neonatal outcome.
Subject(s)
Nitroglycerin/administration & dosage , Obstetric Labor, Premature/prevention & control , Tocolysis/methods , Tocolytic Agents/administration & dosage , Uterine Contraction/drug effects , Administration, Cutaneous , Adult , Female , Gestational Age , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Male , Obstetric Labor, Premature/diagnosis , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Outcome , Risk Factors , Treatment Outcome , Uterine Contraction/physiology , Young AdultABSTRACT
Pulsus alternans is a well-recognized clinical entity in which alternating strong and weak pulses are detected. It usually is secondary to underlying myocardial failure. Murmur alternans (alternation in murmur intensity) has been described in aortic stenosis and a few right-sided lesions such as pulmonary hypertension and embolism. This report describes a case of murmur alternans in critical pulmonary stenosis that also showed Doppler alternans on echocardiography. The underlying cause was right ventricular systolic dysfunction.
