Intravenous nitroglycerin for controlled cord traction in the management of retained placenta.

Objective: To determine the effect of 200 μg of intravenous nitroglycerin in the release of retained placenta by controlled cord traction.

Methods: In this randomized controlled study, 40 women with a placenta retained for 30 minutes received intravenously 200 μg of nitroglycerin or a normal saline solution before umbilical cord traction was initiated. The rates of successful removal of the retained placenta in the study (n=20) and control (n=20) groups were compared, as were blood pressure, pulse rate, blood loss, and adverse effects.