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Interval to delivery in high‐risk patients: do tocolytic agents really work?
Author(s) -
Morrison J.C.,
Allbert J.R.,
Floyd R.C.,
Bale C.S.,
Lou C.H.,
Gookin K.S.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
international journal of gynecology and obstetrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.895
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1879-3479
pISSN - 0020-7292
DOI - 10.1016/0020-7292(82)90127-8
Subject(s) - medicine , tocolytic , discontinuation , tocolytic agent , preterm labor , gestation , obstetrics , preterm delivery , preterm labour , pregnancy , anesthesia , gynecology , surgery , genetics , biology
Some question whether tocolytic drugs reduce uterine activity and prolong gestation. The interval from discontinuance of tocolytics until spontaneous labor and delivery in patients (n = 69) with documented preterm labor (PTL) versus subjects receiving prophylactic tocolytic therapy (n = 41) was studied. Women with documented PTL delivered sooner after cessation of tocolytics (6.1 ± 6.9 days) than control (C) patients (14.7 ± 10.8 days, P < 0.001). Also, 28 of the 69 (41%) patients in the PTL group delivered within 24 h of discontinuation of tocolysis compared to 4 (10%) in the C group (P < 0.0004). We conclude that tocolytic therapy for documented preterm labor suppresses uterine activity and when these agents are discontinued, contractions return and labor ensues.