Pulmonary function in preeclamptic women receiving MgSO4.

Pulmonary function was studied in ten preeclamptic women in labor receiving continuous infusions of MgSO4 (group I) and six normotensive, healthy parturients in labor (group II). In group I, the forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV) were measured prior to, two hours after and six hours after the start of infusions. The mean FVC decreased from a baseline value of 3.

Hexoprenaline pharmacokinetics in pregnant and nonpregnant sheep.

Hexoprenaline, a beta 2-sympathomimetic agent, is used to suppress uterine contractions in the treatment of premature labor. However, little is known regarding the potential of this drug to undergo placental transfer or whether the pregnant state alters any of the pharmacokinetic parameters. Using sheep as a model, intravenous doses of 14C-hexoprenaline were administered to pregnant and non-pregnant animals.

Human perinatal distribution of butorphanol.

The perinatal distribution of butorphanol was demonstrated in relation to maternal-neonatal transfer and colostrum/milk excretion in obstetric patients. Parenteral butorphanol passed the placental barrier and was found in neonatal cord serum. The mean neonatal serum concentration of butorphanol was not different from the mean maternal serum concentration of butorphanol, following a 1 or 2 mg intramuscular dose.

Placental transfer and other physiologic studies with intravenous butorphanol in the anesthetized pregnant ewe.

In clinical evaluation, butorphanol has been used in labor pain with analgesia and newborn outcome comparable to meperidine. Only limited placental transfer studies have been done in the human. The placental transfer and effect of intravenous butorphanol (2 mg) on avrious cardiovascular parameters were determined in anesthetized sheep.

Placental transfer of intravenous fluoride in the pregnant ewe.

Fluoride ion is produced with the biotransformation of two commonly used anesthetics, methoxyflurane and enflurane. Fluoride ion is added to prenatal vitamin preparations and water to prevent carious teeth. Very high levels of fluoride assailure.

A double-blind comparison of butorphanol and meperidine in labour: maternal pain relief and effect on the newborn.

Butorphanol tartrate 1 mg and 2 mg were compared in 80 normal mothers at term in a double-blind study with meperidine hydrochloride 40 mg and 80 mg for the relief of pain in labour. Butorphanol was found to be as effective as meperidine in relieving pain in labour. The foetal condition, as measured by ECG monitoring, Apgar scores, time to sustained respiration, umbilical venous H+ (pH) and PCO2, and a general nursery survey were comparable for meperidine and butorphanol.

Sickling dynamics of red blood cells and other physiologic studies during anesthesia.

Nineteen patients with electrophoretically proven sickle cell diseases were studied prospectively at intervals, using halothane, methoxyflurane, cyclopropane, and fluroxene. Simultaneous venous and arterial samples were taken from the same arm in heparinized syringes at the sampling intervals and analyzed for blood gases, hematocrit, and percent sickle cells. Measurements of blood pressure, pulse, temperature, tidal volume, minute ventilation, and other significant data were recorded.