Pulsatile vs. continuous parenteral tocolysis: comparison of side effects.

Bolus tocolysis has been developed to reduce the dose of fenoterol compared to continuous tocolysis. Whereas the high efficacy of pulsatile application of fenoterol has been shown, the proof of reduced side effects is still lacking. A total of 59 patients with preterm labor were divided in three groups: (1) continuous tocolysis and oral application of magnesium (n=19), (2) continuous tocolysis and parenteral application of magnesium (n=20), (3) pulsatile tocolysis (bolus tocolysis) and oral application of magnesium (n=20).

Changes in plasma elastase during pregnancy and sub partu.

Elastase is produced and released by polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PNMs) during inflammatory processes. Thus, elastase is assumed to be a sensitive marker of infections similar to the well-established C-reactive protein (CRP). It is deactivated predominantly in tissues by alpha1-proteinase inhibitor which forms stable complexes with the elastase molecule (EAPI) that can be detected for several hours.

Fenoterol increases erythropoietin concentrations during tocolysis.

Aims: The present study was carried out to assess the effect of the selective beta2-adrenoceptor agonists on erythropoietin (EPO) production.

Methods: Routine tocolysis with fenoterol (using the regular rate of 2 microg min[-1]) was used as a clinically easily accessible model.

Results: EPO concentrations had doubled 24 h after the start of tocolysis (P < 0.

Fibronectin in the plasma during pregnancy and parturition.

Fibronectin can be detected in the plasma and the extracellular matrix of the uterus of pregnant women. Studies so far have compared individual observations, whilst serial investigations during pregnancy, and during and after parturition have not been carried out. Plasma fibronectin levels were measured in 153 women with healthy pregnancies in relation to the gestational age.

[Comparative study of maternal side effects of various forms of intravenous therapy with fenoterol in premature labor].

Objective: The aim of the present study was to compare different regimes of intravenous fenoterol tocolysis concerning their side effects.

Methods: A total of 59 patients with intravenous tocolysis due to preterm labor has been studied. They were chronologically alternating and thus randomly stratified into three groups: (a) continuous i.

Magnesium and calcium concentration in the pregnant and non-pregnant myometrium.

Objectives: To investigate the effect of labor on the magnesium and calcium concentrations in the human myometrium and to compare them with the concentrations in the non-pregnant uterus.

Method: Samples of the isthmic part of the uterus were taken from 42 patients not in labor, 31 patients in regular labor during a cesarean section, and 37 premenopausal patients on whom a hysterectomy was performed.

Results: (i) The magnesium concentration dropped significantly during labor; (ii) the calcium concentration in the tissue showed no significant changes during labor; (iii) the magnesium and calcium concentrations were significantly higher during pregnancy; (iv) the distribution of electrolytes in the myometrium differed significantly in the corpus, isthmus and cervix uteri.

[Termination of pregnancy in the 2nd trimester by serial administration of gemeprost vaginal suppositories. A prospective study (corrected)].

In a prospective study termination of pregnancy was performed between the 16th and 24th week of gestation by serial applications of a 1 mg gemeprost containing vaginal pessary at 6h intervals. The reasons for termination were medical and fetal indications in 20 cases and missed abortion in 14 cases. The median induction to abortion interval was 17.

[Plasma and myometrium electrolyte changes in the last trimester of pregnancy].

It is well known, that magnesium can positively influence preterm labour and that the magnesium level in the plasma is significantly lowered whereby magnesium excretion increases during pregnancy. These results lead to the question, whether the magnesium content in the myometrium is also reduced during pregnancy and whether blood parameters correlate with the concentration of magnesium in the myometrium. Myometrial tissues and blood samples from 127 patients, who underwent a Caesarean section, were analysed for magnesium, calcium, sodium and potassium.

[Labor contraction-dependent changes in magnesium and calcium in the myometrium].

Magnesium is commonly used in the therapy and prevention of preterm labor. Therefore the differences of the concentrations of magnesium and its antagonist calcium were measured in the human myometrium to examine the interaction of labour and ionic changes. The ionic concentration in the myometrium of 37 patients without labour are determined and the values are compared to the data of 26 patients in active labour.

[The magnesium and calcium content of pre- and postmenopausal myometrium].

Magnesium and calcium, as well as sodium and potassium, have an important influence on the physiology of contraction of the uterus. The ionic concentrations in the pre- and postmenopausal myometrium were examined. We assumed, that there are differences in the electrolytic contents because of the different functions of the corpus, isthmic part and cervix uteri during pregnancy and throughout labour.