Placental transfer of milrinone in the nonhuman primate (baboon).

Milrinone is an inotropic agent for short-term intravenous use in the management of congestive heart failure. The purpose of this article is to question the previously reported lack of transplacental transfer of milrinone. Loading and continuous intravenous doses, considered to be therapeutic in humans, were administered to four near-term baboons. Transplacental passage was documented, with a maternal/fetal serum ratio of approximately 4:1 found during the 3 hours of infusion.