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Calcium channel blockers for inhibiting preterm labour; a systematic review of the evidence and a protocol for administration of nifedipine
Author(s) -
King James F.,
Flenady Vicki,
Papatsonis Dimitri,
Dekker Gustaaf,
Carbonne Bruno
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.734
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1479-828X
pISSN - 0004-8666
DOI - 10.1046/j.0004-8666.2003.00074.x
Subject(s) - nifedipine , tocolytic agent , medicine , calcium channel , tocolytic , preterm labour , placebo , pregnancy , childbirth , anesthesia , calcium channel blocker , obstetrics , randomized controlled trial , gestation , calcium , preterm labor , alternative medicine , pathology , biology , genetics
Objective: To assess the effects on maternal, fetal and neonatal outcomes of nifedipine (and other calcium channel blockers) administered as a tocolytic agent to women in preterm labour. Methods: Standard methods of the Cochrane Collaboration and its Pregnancy and Childbirth Review Group were used . All published and unpublished randomised trials in which calcium channel blockers were used for tocolysis for women in preterm labour between 20 and 36 weeks’ gestation, were considered. Main results: The systematic review includes 12 randomised controlled trials with a total of 1029 participating women. No trials were identified in which calcium channel blockers were compared with a placebo or no alternative tocolytic treatment. Calcium channel blockers appear to be more effective than betamimetic agents in prolonging pregnancy for 7 days or longer, are much less likely to cause maternal side‐effects and are associated with reduced neonatal morbidity. Conclusion: Calcium channel blockers (especially nifedipine) can be considered safer and more effective tocolytic agents than betamimetics.