Am J Perinatol 1995; 12(2): 80-81
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-994408
ORIGINAL ARTICLE

© 1995 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.

Changes in Blood Velocities of Fetal Circulation in Association with Fetal Heart Rate Abnormalities: Effect of Sublingual Administration of Nifedipine

Toshiyuki Hata, Atsushi Manabe, Kohkichi Hata, Manabu Kitao
  • Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shimane Medical University, Izumo 693, Japan
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
04 March 2008 (online)

ABSTRACT

Nifedipine has been used to treat hypertension in pregnancy, and does not influence fetal or uteroplacental circulations in patients with preeclampsia. A 29-year-old multi-gravid woman presented at 32 weeks' gestation with significant elevation of her blood pressure. After sublingual administration of nifedipine, the blood pressure decreased from 208/122 to 136/96 mm Hg at 30 minutes. In her growth-retarded fetus with abnormal flow velocity waveforms, pulsatility index values for middle cerebral artery and umbilical artery did not change; however, peak systolic velocities, end-diastolic velocities, and time-averaged mean peak velocities for these arteries became significantly elevated. Simultaneously, severe variable decelerations and late decelerations occurred. The adverse effect of nifedipine on fetal circulation might occur in a growth-retarded fetus with abnormal flow velocity waveforms.