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Hemodynamic effects of nifedipine tocolysis
Author(s) -
Yamasato Kelly,
Burlingame Janet,
Kaneshiro Bliss
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of obstetrics and gynaecology research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.597
H-Index - 50
eISSN - 1447-0756
pISSN - 1341-8076
DOI - 10.1111/jog.12478
Subject(s) - nifedipine , medicine , blood pressure , heart rate , hemodynamics , tachycardia , anesthesia , dosing , diastole , cardiology , calcium
Aim To describe the effects of nifedipine tocolysis on blood pressure and heart rate in non‐hypertensive women. Methods This was a retrospective study from 2001 to 2011 to compare blood pressures and heart rates among non‐hypertensive women on nifedipine tocolysis up to 8 h after nifedipine initiation. Measurements at 20–60 and 61–120 min were compared to assess the differential effects of dosing on hemodynamics and reflected the effects of the initial and complete loading doses, respectively. Charts were reviewed for hypotension‐related emergent delivery. Results One hundred and thirty‐eight patients were included. Over the 8‐h study interval, mean systolic blood pressure ( P < 0.001) and mean diastolic blood pressure ( P < 0.001) decreased by 5 mmHg and heart rate increased by 4 b.p.m. ( P < 0.001). Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were unchanged from baseline up to 120 min at all doses. Heart rate increased at both 20–60 and 61–120 min when all doses were considered ( P < 0.001), but differential dosing effects were not observed. Rates of tachycardia increased ( P < 0.001), but rates of hypotension were unchanged. No hypotension‐related emergent deliveries occurred. Conclusion Nifedipine tocolysis was associated with hemodynamic changes in non‐hypertensive women. Tachycardia was increased but hypotension was unaffected, supporting the general safety of nifedipine in this setting.