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Maternal and fetal haemodynamic effects of nifedipine in normotensive pregnant women

  1. J Cornette1,
  2. JJ Duvekot1,
  3. JW Roos-Hesselink2,
  4. WCJ Hop3,
  5. EAP Steegers1

Article first published online: 24 DEC 2010

DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2010.02794.x

Issue

BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Volume 118, Issue 4, pages 510–515, March 2011

Additional Information

How to Cite

Cornette, J., Duvekot, J., Roos-Hesselink, J., Hop, W. and Steegers, E. (2011), Maternal and fetal haemodynamic effects of nifedipine in normotensive pregnant women. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 118: 510–515. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2010.02794.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Division of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

  2. 2

    Department of Cardiology

  3. 3

    Department of Biostatistics, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands

*J Cornette, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, Room SK 4161, Dr. Molewaterplein 60, 3015 GJ Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Email j.cornette@erasmusmc.nl

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 10 FEB 2011
  2. Article first published online: 24 DEC 2010
  3. Accepted 14 October 2010. Published Online 24 December 2010.

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Keywords:

  • Cardiac output;
  • haemodynamics;
  • nifedipine;
  • tocolysis;
  • total vascular resistance

Please cite this paper as: Cornette J, Duvekot J, Roos-Hesselink J, Hop W, Steegers E. Maternal and fetal haemodynamic effects of nifedipine in normotensive pregnant women. BJOG 2011;118:510–515.

While nifedipine is commonly used for tocolysis, the controversy on its safety remains. So far, the haemodynamic effects on maternal and fetal circulations have not been well documented. Fifteen normotensive women who received 20 mg nifedipine were included in this prospective observational study. The maternal and fetal haemodynamic effects were analysed using maternal echocardiography and fetal Doppler ultrasonography. Nifedipine induced a significant afterload reduction in all women. It triggered a compensatory increase in cardiac output, which maintained blood pressure. These maternal changes had no influence on the uteroplacental and fetal circulations.

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