A comparative study of ketorolac (Toradol) and magnesium sulfate for arrest of preterm labor.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the efficacy and safety of ketorolac (Toradol). METHODS: In this prospective trial, 88 women in confirmed preterm labor at < or =32 weeks' gestation were randomized to receive magnesium sulfate given as an initial 6 g intravenous bolus followed by continuous infusion therapy (2 to 6 g/hr) or intramuscularly administered ketorolac (60 mg loading dose) followed by 30 mg every 6 hours for a maximum of 24 hours. RESULTS: The study groups were similar with respect to age, parity, cervical status, and gestational age on admission. Ketorolac was more rapid (2.71 hr+/-2.16) in the arrest of preterm labor than was magnesium sulfate (6.22 hr+/-5.65). No patient required discontinuance of either drug due to adverse effects. There was no difference in the incidence of neonatal complications between the two groups. CONCLUSION: In gestations with preterm labor at <32 weeks, ketorolac appears to be an appropriate first-line tocolytic agent.

Individually determined postpartum magnesium sulfate therapy with clinical parameters to safely and cost-effectively shorten treatment for pre-eclampsia.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the safety of treating pre-eclampsia with magnesium sulfate, with clinical determinants used for drug discontinuation. STUDY DESIGN: One hundred sixty-eight patients were enrolled. After delivery, women with mild pre-eclampsia received a minimum of 6 hours of intravenous magnesium sulfate, whereas women with severe pre-eclampsia received a minimum of 12 hours. Magnesium sulfate was discontinued in the absence of clinical symptoms associated with spontaneous diuresis, minimal protein by urinary dipstick, and satisfaction of predetermined blood pressure criteria. RESULTS: Patients with mild pre-eclampsia required significantly less magnesium sulfate (mean 9.5 +/- 4.2 hours) than did those with severe pre-eclampsia alone (mean 16 +/- 5.9 hours); pre-eclampsia superimposed on chronic hypertension (mean 16 +/- 5.8 hours); or hemolysis, elevated liver enzyme, and low platelet count syndrome (mean 20 +/- 6.7 hours). With this protocol there was no eclampsia, and recovery room time was reduced by 50%. CONCLUSION: Individual determination of postpartum magnesium sulfate therapy for pre-eclampsia appears to be a safe approach that carries minimal risk of eclampsia.

Aplastic anemia and immune-mediated thrombocytopenia: concurrent complications encountered in the third trimester of pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Aplastic anemia has been described rarely in pregnancy. The etiology is uncertain, and the treatment of choice, bone marrow transplant, is contraindicated in pregnancy. Thus, the occurrence of this complication during gestation presents a management challenge. Concurrent immune-mediated thrombocytopenia further complicates an already complex situation. CASE: Our patient with aplastic anemia and immune-mediated thrombocytopenia was diagnosed during the third trimester of pregnancy and treated with prednisone/high-dose intravenous (i.v.) immunoglobulin (Ig) and multiple transfusions of packed red blood cells and platelets. Fetal surveillance included twice-weekly non-stress tests coupled with sequential sonographic pregnancy evaluation. A successful term vaginal delivery was achieved with good maternal and perinatal outcomes. CONCLUSION: Selective transfusion of blood products, therapy with prednisone, high-dose i.v. Ig, and intensive fetal surveillance resulted in a successful maternal and perinatal outcome for a pregnancy complicated with aplastic anemia and immune-mediated thrombocytopenia.

Use of fetal fibronectin in clinical practice.

Preterm delivery remains a worldwide problem hindered by many unknowns, not the least of which is an inability to detect patients at risk for this complication of pregnancy. A unique form of fibronectin identified in the extracellular matrix surrounding the extravillous trophoblast at the uteroplacental junction contains an epitope called the "oncofetal domain," which is recognized by the monoclonal antibody FDC-6. When detected in cervicovaginal secretions of both symptomatic patients as well as asymptomatic women who have risk factors for early deliver, fetal fibronectin seems to be a marker for preterm delivery with a good positive predictive value (40-60 percent). A negative result has a negative predictive value of 99.5 percent for birth within 7 days and 92 percent for delivery before 37 weeks in those patients with signs and symptoms of preterm labor. In low-risk asymptomatic patients, the positive predictive value is lower (15-25 percent), but is important because women in this group, destined to deliver as a consequence of preterm labor, may have no other signs or symptoms to forebode preterm delivery. Fetal fibronectin testing could also be important in women in spurious preterm labor who may eventually deliver before 37 weeks' gestation. Although specific interventional studies are still needed, this test is an important step forward in the provider's armamentarium to reduce the impact of a preterm delivery.

Acute myocardial infarction during pregnancy managed with immediate percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.

BACKGROUND: Acute myocardial infarction, a rare peripartum event, is accompanied by significant maternal and fetal mortality. The greatest maternal mortality is realized when myocardial infarction occurs during the third trimester of pregnancy, but there is very little information about the use of acute interventional therapy during pregnancy. CASE: We present a patient who sustained an acute anterior infarction during the third trimester of pregnancy; she underwent immediate cardiac catheterization and coronary angioplasty within 90 minutes of onset of chest pain for high-grade stenosis of the left anterior descending and diagonal coronary vessels. Maternal and fetal outcome was good. CONCLUSION: Immediate percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction during pregnancy is a viable treatment option in selected patients.

Unilateral twin ectopic gestation. A case report.

The occurrence of unilateral twin ectopic pregnancy has remained remarkably rare in spite of the rapidly rising incidence of singleton ectopic gestations. A ruptured ectopic pregnancy occurred with an intact twin gestation.