[Fetal systolic time intervals. A non-invasive parameter for assessing the intrauterine condition of the fetus].

Various methods are employed in obstetric prophylaxis and treatment to assess the intrauterine condition of the foetus. The systolic time-intervals appear to be a promising new method because they reflect the contractility of the foetal heart which is a reflection of various physiological factors indluding hypoxia and asphyxia. Monitoring of the foetal systolic time intervals is therefore a more sensitive parameter of cardiac function than the foetal heart rate alone.

Intravenous magnesium in acute myocardial infarction.

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 273 patients with suspected acute myocardial infarction (AMI) were randomised to receive either magnesium intravenously or placebo immediately on admission to hospital. Of 130 patients with proven AMI 56 received magnesium and 74 received placebo. During the first 4 weeks after treatment mortality was 7% in the magnesium group and 19% in the placebo group.

A comparison of the hemodynamic effects of prenalterol and isoprenaline in patients with complete heart block.

Prenalterol is a new beta-adrenergic agonist which stimulates mainly beta 1-receptors, in contrast to isoprenaline which stimulates both beta 1- and beta 2-receptors. We studied the hemodynamic effects of prenalterol and isoprenaline in seven patients with complete heart block and idioventricular escape rhythm due to ischemic heart disease. Isoprenaline was given as a continuous infusion at two increasing doses (1.