Randomized comparison of intravenous terbutaline vs nitroglycerin for acute intrapartum fetal resuscitation.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare terbutaline and nitroglycerin for acute intrapartum fetal resuscitation. STUDY DESIGN: Women between 32-, 42 weeks' gestation were assigned randomly to 250 microg of terbutaline or 400 microg nitroglycerin intravenously for nonreassuring fetal heart rate tracings in labor. The rate of successful acute intrapartum fetal resuscitation and the maternal hemodynamic changes were compared. Assuming a 50% failure rate in the terbutaline arm, we calculated that a total of 110 patients would be required to detect a 50% reduction in failure in the nitroglycerin group (50% to 25%), with an alpha value of .05, a beta value of .20, and a power of 80%. RESULTS: One hundred ten women had nonreassuring fetal heart rate tracings in labor; 57 women received terbutaline, and 53 women received nitroglycerin. Successful acute resuscitation rates were similar (terbutaline 71.9% and nitroglycerin 64.2%; P = .38). Terbutaline resulted in lower median contraction frequency per 10 minutes (2.9 [25-75 percentile, 1.7- 3.3] vs 4 [25-75 percentile, 2.5- 5]; P < .002) and reduced tachysystole (1.8% vs 18.9%; P = .003). Maternal mean arterial pressures decreased with nitroglycerin (81-76 mm Hg; P = .02), but not terbutaline (82-81 mm Hg; P = .73). CONCLUSION: Although terbutaline provided more effective tocolysis with less impact on maternal blood pressure, no difference was noted between nitroglycerin and terbutaline in successful acute intrapartum fetal resuscitation.

The fidgety fetus hypothesis: fetal activity is an additional variable in determining birth weight of offspring of women with diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether some offspring of women with diabetes are intrinsically more active than others in utero and whether those who are active are able to normalize their birth weight despite maternal hyperglycemia. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We conducted a three-phase study to view the relationship between fetal movements and subsequent birth weight in women with diabetes. Phase I was designed to assess maternal perception of fetal movements in a population of 10 women with diabetes. To improve our fetal monitoring techniques, in phase II we analyzed fetal movements using the Card Guard home fetal monitoring device (CG 900P) in a population of 13 women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). To apply our observations of fetal movements to a larger population, during phase III we conducted a retrospective analysis of fetal monitoring strips (HP 8041A) from 46 women with GDM to examine the relationship between fetal heart rate (FHR) accelerations and percentile birth weight, corrected for gestational age. RESULTS: Phase I confirmed that there is little variability in fetal movements (i.e., fetal kicks did not significantly deviate from one another on a day-to-day basis). In phase II, the fetal monitoring strips illustrated that the active fetuses (defined as > or = 4 FHR accelerations in a 20-min period) were always active, and the inactive fetuses were always inactive. The mean birth weight percentile, corrected for gestational age, in the active group was 37 vs. 63% in the inactive group (P = 0.05). In phase III, the fetal monitoring strips showed an inverse correlation between the mean number of FHR accelerations and the birth weight of the fetus, corrected for gestational age. The mean birth weight percentile in the active group was 37 vs. 62% in the inactive group (P = 0.0017). CONCLUSIONS: The fetus appears to play a role in determining its own destiny. Increased fetal activity may minimize the impact of hyperglycemia on subsequent birth weight. The inactive fetus appears to be at a higher risk for glucose-mediated macrosomia.

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and stent placement in pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial infarction (MI) is uncommon during pregnancy. As the average maternal age increases and assisted reproductive technology allows for very advanced maternal ages, so too may the incidence of MI during pregnancy. Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) with stent placement is an attractive option for treatment of MI in pregnancy when revascularization is required. CASE: We present a gravida with an ST elevation MI during the third trimester, who was treated with emergent PTCA, stent placement, and platelet inhibitors, and we discuss the patient's subsequent obstetric and anesthetic management. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty with stent placement may be used during the third trimester with successful outcome.