The effects of heparin versus normal saline for maintenance of peripheral intravenous locks in pregnant women.

Objective: To compare the efficacy of two available preparations (heparin, 10 U/mL, 1 mL, vs. normal saline, 1 mL) used for maintaining patency in peripheral intravenous (IV) locks during pregnancy.

Design: Prospective, randomized, and double-blind.

Comparative efficacy and cost of the prostaglandin analogs dinoprostone and misoprostol as labor preinduction agents.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the relative efficacy and cost of three commercially available prostaglandin analogs, misoprostol (Cytotec), dinoprostone gel (Prepidil), and dinoprostone insert (Cervidil), as labor preinduction agents.

Study Design: One-hundred eleven women with an unfavorable cervix who underwent labor induction were assigned randomly to receive either misoprostol 50 microg every 6 hours for two doses, dinoprostone gel 0.5 mg every 6 hours for two doses, or dinoprostone insert 10 mg for one dose intravaginally.

Effect of vaginal pH on efficacy of the dinoprostone gel for cervical ripening/labor induction.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether vaginal pH has an effect on the efficacy of the dinoprostone gel for cervical ripening/labor induction.

Study Design: Thirty-two women with an unfavorable cervix who were undergoing labor induction were enrolled in this prospective, double-blinded investigation. Initial vaginal pH and Bishop score assessment were made by an independent examiner.