N.C. Sayin, F.G. Varol, P. Balkanli-Kaplan, M. Sayin
Oral nifedipine maintenance therapy after acute intravenous tocolysis in preterm labor
Aims: Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy of maintenance
oral nifedipine in pregnant women initially treated
with intravenous ritodrine plus verapamil for preterm
labor.
Methods: The study included 73 patients with preterm
labor with intact membranes. Patients were randomized
to receive either maintenance oral nifedipine therapy
(n=37) administered 20 mg every six hours or no treatment
(controls, n=36) after discontinuation of acute
intravenous tocolysis.
Results: Compared to the control group, the mean±SD
time gained from initiation of maintenance therapy to
delivery (26.65±18.89 vs. 16.14±12.91 days, p=0.007)
and the gestational age at delivery (37.03±2.06 vs.
35.1±3 weeks, p=0.003) were higher in the nifedipine
maintenance therapy group. The proportion of patients
who required one or more courses of subsequent intravenous
therapy and perinatal outcomes were similar in
the maintenance therapy and control groups.
Conclusions: The gestational age and time gained from
initiation of maintenance therapy to delivery were longer
in women receiving oral maintenance tocolysis with nifedipine.
However, maintenance therapy did not decrease
the recurrence of preterm labor episodes or improve perinatal
outcomes.
Journal of Perinatal Medicine, Walter de Gruyter
Print ISSN: 1619-3997
Volume: 32, 05/2004
Pages: 220 - 224
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