Influence of hypertonic saline solution infusion on defibrillation efficacy

BACKGROUND: Transplantation of lung allografts from the same donor into 2 recipients ("twinning") provides an opportunity to study recipient and donor factors that influence early allograft function. METHODS: Twenty-seven pairs of recipients were identified and evaluated using multivariate logistic regression analysis (p < 0.05). Four measures of early graft function were analyzed: alveolar-arterial gradient in the operating room, first alveolar-arterial gradient in the intensive care unit, alveolar-arterial gradient at 24 hours, and days of mechanical ventilation. RESULTS: Analysis of the pooled data without regard to pairing showed that alveolar-arterial gradient in the operating room was influenced by donor age, length of donor hospitalization, recipient mean pulmonary artery (PA) pressure at unclamping, and transplantation of a left lung. The alveolar-arterial gradient in the intensive care unit was correlated with donor age, donor cause of death, and mean PA pressure on arrival in that unit. Only mean PA pressure remained significant at 24 hours. Days of mechanical ventilation was determined by mean PA pressure on arrival in the intensive care unit, drop in mean PA pressure during operation, and diagnosis of the recipient. In the paired analysis, receiving a left lung, recipient diagnosis (pulmonary hypertension worse than others), and need of cardiopulmonary bypass were significantly associated with immediate graft dysfunction, although these influences did not persist beyond the immediate postoperative period. Donor arterial oxygen tension and time of ischemia were not significant predictors in any analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Immediate allograft function was associated with donor-related characteristics initially, but these lost importance over the ensuing 24 hours. Recipient PA pressure was an immediate and persisting influence. In the analysis of differences in function between the members of each pair, transplantation of the left lung, recipient diagnosis, and cardiopulmonary bypass were identified, but their influence did not persist beyond the first 6 hours.     

Comparison of ketoconazole and fluconazole as cytochrome P450 inhibitors. Use of steady-state infusion approach to achieve plasma concentration-response relationships

OBJECTIVE: To define factors causing prolonged labor in nulliparous women undergoing active management of labor. METHODS: We included all nulliparas delivered during 1990-1994 with spontaneous onset of labor lasting more than 12 hours, singleton gestation, cephalic presentation, and labor at greater than 37 weeks. Each patient was matched with the next nulliparous woman who delivered with a labor lasting less than 12 hours and who fulfilled the same inclusion criteria. Subjects were managed according to the previously described active management of labor protocol from The National Maternity Hospital, Dublin. RESULTS: In the 5-year period, 9018 nulliparas met inclusion criteria, with 147 (1.6%) having prolonged labor. Prolonged labor was due to inefficient uterine action in 65%, persistent occipitoposterior position in 24%, and cephalopelvic disproportion in 11% of cases. Univariate analysis showed statistically significant (P < .05) differences in maternal body mass index, cervical dilation on admission, oxytocin use, epidural use, placement of epidural at less than 2 cm of dilation, and birth weight between these study groups. On multivariate conditional logistic regression analysis, the following were significant independent predictors for having a prolonged labor (odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals presented): 3.1 (1.3-7.3) for cervical dilation less than 2 cm on admission, 42.7 (7.5-242.0) for early epidural placement, 5.1 (1.9-13.7) for epidural placement at greater than or equal to 2 cm, and 10.2 (3.6-29.4) for birth weight greater than 4000 g. CONCLUSION: Less-advanced cervical dilation on admission and epidural use, especially when placed early, are strongly associated with prolonged labor.     

A comparison of intravaginal misoprostol and intracervical prostaglandin E2 gel for ripening of unfavorable cervix and labor induction

OBJECTIVE: To study the effectiveness of single application of intravaginal misoprostol versus intracervical prostaglandin E2 gel for ripening the unfavorable cervix and labor induction. METHOD: One hundred and ten patients with indications for induction of labor with unfavorable cervices were randomized to receive either 100 microgram tablets of misoprostol placed in the posterior vaginal fornix or prostaglandin E2 1.5 mg in gel placed into the endocervix. Those, who were not in active labor after 24 hours, had labor induced with amniotomy and oxytocin. RESULTS: Among 110 patients recruited, 60 received misoprostol and 50 received prostaglandin E2 gel. The average interval from start of induction to vaginal delivery was 19.14 +/- 10.64 hours in misoprostol group and 21.37 +/- 13.09 hours in the prostaglandin E2 group (p = 0.33). Five patients (8%) in the misoprostol group had induction of labor after 24 hours of the treatment compared with 13 patients (26%) in the PGE2 group. The difference was significant (p = 0.03). Oxytocin augmentation was 35% in the misoprostol group and 34% in the prostaglandin E2 group (p = 0.86). There were no significant differences between routes of delivery. Nineteen patients (31%) in misoprostol group and 16 patients (32%) in the PGE2 gel group had cesarean deliveries. There was one case (1.7%) of uterine hyperstimulation in the misoprostol group and none in the PGE2 gel group. There were no significant difference in Apgar scores < 7 at 1 and 5 minutes, or admission to the neonatal intensive care unit between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: Vaginal misoprostol is an effective agent for cervical ripening and induction of labor. Complications associated with prostaglandin administration were not statistically different between the 2 groups, but hyperstimulation occurred more in misoprostol group.     

Membrane stripping to induce labor

A group of 91 pregnant women at term were studied randomly to see the effect of digital stripping of the membranes from the lower uterine segment upon the onset of labor. The women with unfavorable cervices (Bishop score 0 to 5) demonstrated a significant increase in the onset of labor within 48 hours as compared to controls. When the cervix was favorable (Bishop score 6 to 10), there was no significant effect. The overall success rate for induction of labor was not significantly altered (43.5% in membrane-stripped patients, 22.2% in controls). There were no major complications of the procedure.     

A reappraisal of the duration of labor

The mean, median, and modal durations of labor have been established following a prospective study of 602 consecutive labors. The mean duration of labor for primiparae was 14.92 hours, while the median and modal durations were 13.20 and 9.66 hours, respectively. The corresponding figures for multiparae were 10.02, 9.28, and 7.80 hours, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in the mean duration of labor in the 2 groups of patients (P less than 0.001). A significant positive correlation has been observed between the duration of the first stage of labor and the second stage of labor (P less than 0.001), and this might be of clinical importance. It has been suggested that the median and modal durations of labor may be more representative and informative than the mean or average.     

Estradiol-releasing vaginal ring delivery system for urogenital atrophy. Experience over the past decade

The diurnal variation and activity during the onset of stroke were examined in more than 700 consecutive patients. 304 cases with hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage (HIH), 214 cases with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and 201 cases with obstructive cerebrovascular disease (OCVD) were investigated about the time of onset. Concerning the activity during the onset, 296 cases with HIH, 215 cases with SAH and 198 cases with OCVD were examined. HIH occurred frequently between 1500-1800 hours, 0600-0900 hours and 1800-2100 hours. SAH occurred frequently between 0900-1200 hours, 1500-1800 hours and 1800-2100 hours. Both HIH and SAH were least likely to occur between 0000-0300 hours. OCVD exhibited a small peak incidence between 0900-1200 hours, but there were no differences between the groups for the other time periods. Both HIH and SAH were likely to occur frequently in the lavatory, while bathing and during meals. HIH also occurred frequently during physical work, while SAH occurred as frequently during mental work or housework as during hard physical labor. OCVD commonly occurred during sleep or relaxation. The relationship between diurnal variation in stroke and the circadian variation of blood pressure is discussed. The incidence of all three types of strokes during work was higher in the non-aged group (patients under 66 years) than in the aged group (patients over 66 years). HIH and SAH occurred associated with alcohol consumption more frequently in the non-aged group than in the aged group. It is likely that the difference of the time and of the activity during the onset between aged group and non-aged group reflects the difference of life-style between aged and non-aged people.     

Randomised double blind trial of morphine versus diamorphine for sedation of preterm neonates

AIMS: To compare the safety and effectiveness of morphine and diamorphine for the sedation of ventilated preterm neonates in a double blind, randomised trial. METHODS: Eighty eight babies were allocated to receive either morphine (n = 44) or diamorphine (n = 44) by bolus infusion (200 or 120 mcg/kg, respectively, over two hours), followed by maintenance infusion (25 or 15 mcg/kg/h, respectively) during the initial phase of their respiratory disease. Serial monitoring of physiological, behavioural, and biochemical variables over the first 24 hours of the infusions was performed. Longer term outcomes were also monitored. RESULTS: Morphine, but not diamorphine, was associated with a mean (SEM) decrease in mean arterial blood pressure of 2.2 (1.0) mm Hg (p = 0.05) over the initial loading infusion. Physiological (blood pressure variability) and behavioural measures of sedation (clinical assessment and sedation scoring) indicated that the two drug regimens were equally effective after 24 hours, but the sedative effects of diamorphine were evident more quickly than those of morphine. Both regimens significantly reduced plasma adrenaline concentrations over the first 24 hours of the infusions. No significant differences in mortality, ventilator days, chronic lung disease or intracranial lesions were noted. CONCLUSIONS: Both drug regimens reduce the stress response to ventilation in preterm neonates. However, diamorphine's more rapid onset of sedation and morphine's hypotensive tendency suggest that diamorphine is preferable for the sedation of mechanically ventilated preterm neonates.     

Adjustment of magnesium sulfate infusion rate in patients with preterm labor

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to investigate factors that might influence serum magnesium levels during intravenous magnesium sulfate tocolytic therapy. STUDY DESIGN: Thirty-three women receiving magnesium sulfate for preterm labor participated in this prospective, observational study. Gestational ages were 24 to 34 weeks. Four groups of women were identified according to the maintenance magnesium infusion rate required for arresting preterm labor after 5 g of therapy induction: 1.5, 2, 2.5, and 3 g/h. Serum magnesium samples were drawn after a predefined period of at least 18 hours of arrested preterm labor, at a minimum of every 6 hours. Variables examined included serum albumin; serum protein; serum ionized calcium; serum creatinine; creatinine clearance; 24-hour urine output; maternal height, weight, body surface area; and body mass index. RESULTS: By use of a multivariate stepwise regression model we identified four variables that independently and significantly contributed to the model: magnesium infusion rate (P < .001); total serum protein level (P < .001); serum creatinine level (P = .009); and maternal weight squared (P = .026). Seventy-two percent of the variance was accounted for by use of these parameters. A predictive linear model, developed to relate these factors, produced the following formula: Suggested magnesium infusion rate = 0.89 x Serum magnesium concentration (mg/dL) - 3.16 x Serum creatinine (mg/dL) - 0.66 x Serum total proteins (g/dL) + 0.0001 x (maternal weight)2 (kg) + 2.30. CONCLUSIONS: Serum creatinine, serum protein, and maternal weight can be used to adjust the dose of magnesium sulfate in patients with premature labor to achieve therapeutic serum levels of magnesium more rapidly and safely.     

Effects of hypoxia on the use-dependent inhibition of conduction velocity induced by cibenzoline in guinea pig ventricular myocardium

The objective of this study was to determine the combined accuracy of emergency department (ED) cardiac enzymes and electrocardiograms (ECGs) in patients who were admitted to "rule-out" myocardial infarction (ROMI). A retrospective analysis of ED creatinine kinase (CK), CKMB, and ECG was performed and the results were compared with final hospital diagnosis of MI, in the ED of a medical school- and university hospital-affiliated teaching Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Approximately 222 consecutive ED patients admitted to ROMI, including 43 (19%) MI patients, 29 (67%) of whom presented to the ED within 24 hours of symptom onset were eligible to participate. Interventions included an analysis of CK and CKMB results and ECG findings. There were no statistical differences in the sensitivities, specificities, and predictive values when the two cardiac enzymes were compared. Almost all of the elevated cardiac enzyme results occurred in MI patients who presented within 24 hours of symptom onset, more than half of whom had ED cardiac enzyme elevations. For all MI patients, regardless of duration of symptoms, more than half of the ED ECGs had new ST-T changes consistent with an acute MI or acute myocardial ischemia. In the MI patients who presented within 24 hours of symptom onset, 79% had positive enzymes or ECG or both in the ED. No statistically significant difference in the sensitivity rates for MI between the CK and CKMB comparing enzymes with ECGs was found.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Procedure guideline for myocardial perfusion imaging. Society of Nuclear Medicine

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Parenterally administered MgSO4 is neuroprotective in standard animal models of focal cerebral ischemia and in many other paradigms of brain injury. Previous small clinical trials in stroke patients have explored the safety and tolerability of different infusion regimens. This study was undertaken to optimize the regimen for a multicenter trial. METHODS: Within 24 hours of the onset of clinically diagnosed stroke, patients were randomized to receive placebo or one of three intravenous MgSO4 infusions: a loading infusion of 8, 12, or 16 mmol, followed by 65 mmol over 24 hours. Cardiovascular parameters, serum magnesium concentrations, and blood glucose concentrations were determined. Outcome at 30 and 90 days was recorded. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients were recruited and treated at a mean time of 20 hours after stroke. No tolerability problems were identified. No effects of magnesium on heart rate, blood pressure, or blood glucose were evident. Serum magnesium concentrations rose to target levels most rapidly in the highest loading infusion group and were maintained in all groups for at least 24 hours. CONCLUSIONS: MgSO4 infusions that rapidly elevate the serum magnesium concentration to potentially therapeutic levels are well tolerated and have no major hemodynamic effects in patients with acute stroke. The 16-mmol loading infusion achieved target serum concentrations most rapidly and has been chosen for further trials.     

Thunderstorm associated asthma: a detailed analysis of environmental factors

OBJECTIVES: To seek associations between meteorological factors, concentrations of air pollutants or pollen, and an asthma epidemic which occurred in London on 24 and 25 June 1994 after a thunderstorm. DESIGN: Retrospective study of patients' accident and emergency department records, with bivariate and multivariate analysis of environmental factors and data collection for the two months surrounding the epidemic. SETTING: The accident and emergency department of St Mary's Hospital in west central London. SUBJECTS: 148 patients presenting with asthma between 1 June and 31 July 1994, of whom 40 presented in the 24 hours after the storm. RESULTS: The asthma epidemic was significantly associated with a drop in air temperature six hours previously and a high grass pollen concentration nine hours previously. Non-epidemic asthma was significantly associated with lightning strikes, increase in humidity or sulphur dioxide concentration, a drop in temperature or high rainfall the previous day, and a decrease in maximum air pressure or changes in grass pollen counts over the previous two days. CONCLUSIONS: New episodes of asthma during the epidemic on 24 and 25 June 1994 were associated with a fall in air temperature and a rise in grass pollen concentration. Non-epidemic asthma was significantly associated with a greater number of environmental changes. This may indicate that the patients with thunderstorm associated asthma were a separate population, sensitive to different environmental stimuli.     

Onset of action of aqueous beclomethasone dipropionate nasal spray in seasonal allergic rhinitis

Beclomethasone dipropionate nasal spray is widely used in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis; however, the time of onset of action has not been determined. This study assessed the onset of action, level of relief, and efficacy of beclomethasone nasal spray in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, multicenter, 7-day study, symptomatic patients were administered two inhalations of beclomethasone dipropionate (n = 80) or placebo (n = 81) into each nostril twice daily. Patients assessed the onset of action and level of relief at 6, 24, and 48 hours and at days 3 and 7. Investigators evaluated symptoms at days 0, 3, and 7 and response to therapy at days 3 and 7. The difference in the cumulative number of patients reporting relief of symptoms was statistically significant in favor of beclomethasone dipropionate by hour 24 (P = 0.05). Patients in the beclomethasone dipropionate group experienced a greater level of relief than patients receiving placebo at hour 24, and improvement increased over the 7-day study compared with a decrease in relief in the placebo group. Beclomethasone dipropionate was significantly more effective than placebo in reducing symptoms (P < or = 0.02), and patients in the beclomethasone dipropionate group showed a more favorable response to treatment than did patients in the placebo group (P < 0.01). Adverse events were minor in both groups. Beclomethasone dipropionate nasal spray produced significant onset of relief of symptoms the first day of treatment; improvement was sustained and increased over the course of the study.     

Improving the coverage and quality of cervical screening: women''s views

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the activity of the smooth muscles in the cervix at the onset of induced labor and to further elucidate this activity in relation to uterine contractions and to the duration of the latent phase of labor, taking cervical ripeness into account. METHODS: Cervical electromyographic (EMG) activity was studied at the onset of labor induced with amniotomy and oxytocin. Bipolar measurement of cervical electrical activity was performed. The root mean square of the cervical EMG activity and the intensity of intrauterine pressure in two groups of parturients with different cervical ripeness were compared. RESULTS: The EMG activity was higher in the group with lower Bishop scores. We found a significant positive correlation between EMG activity and duration of the latent phase of labor. CONCLUSION: Smooth muscles in the human cervix are active during labor and act to some extent independently of the uterine corpus.     

Comparison of 0.25% ropivacaine and bupivacaine for epidural analgesia for labor and vaginal delivery

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Part 1: To measure ropivacaine levels in the mother and infant at delivery after continuous lumbar epidural infusion. Part 2: To compare epidural ropivacaine to epidural bupivacaine for labor analgesia in regard to effectiveness, motor blockade, and maternal and neonatal effects. DESIGN: Part 1: Open-labelled, non-blind study. Part 2: Randomized, double-blind study. SETTING: Labor and delivery units of two academic hospitals. PATIENTS: Part 1: 20 ASA physical status I and II parturients in active labor. Part 2: 81 ASA physical status I and II parturients in active labor. INTERVENTIONS: For Part 1, 8 to 12 ml of 0.25% ropivacaine was administered through a lumbar epidural catheter to achieve a T10 dermatomal sensory level. An infusion of 0.25% ropivacaine, 8 to 10 ml/hr, maintained this sensory level. Maternal and umbilical cord blood samples obtained at delivery were analyzed for ropivacaine concentration. For Part 2, anesthetic management was similar to that previously described except patients were randomized to receive either 0.25% ropivacaine or 0.25% bupivacaine. Onset, regression, maximal spread of sensory block, and onset and degree of motor blockade were measured. Contraction pain as assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS), maternal blood pressure, and heart rate were determined every 5 minutes until a stable VAS-contraction score was achieved, and every 30 minutes thereafter. Neonatal assessment included Apgar scores and neurologic and adaptive capacity scores (NACS) at 15 minutes, 2 hours, and 24 hours. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: For Part 1, the total and free maternal arterial concentrations of ropivacaine at delivery were 0.64 +/- 0.14 microgram/ml and 0.10 +/- .02 microgram/ml, respectively; the umbilical venous total and free concentrations were 0.19 +/- 0.03 microgram/ml and 0.12 +/- 0.07 microgram/ml, respectively (n = 12). The umbilical arterial and venous concentrations did not differ for both the free and total concentrations. For Part 2, there was no difference between ropivacaine and bupivacaine in the variables measured. Umbilical cord gases and Apgar scores were not different between the two groups; NACS were higher at 15 minutes and 2 hours in the ropivacaine group (p < 0.05) than the bupivacaine group. CONCLUSION: Both ropivacaine and bupivacaine produced excellent analgesia for labor with no major adverse effect on the mother or neonate.     

Late thrombolysis in acute myocardial infarct: short and long term effects on left ventricular function

Although the efficacy of intravenous thrombolysis in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction has been widely proved, some uncertainty concerning the "temporal window" of administration still persists. The aim of the present investigation was to study whether the late administration of a thrombolytic agent (6 or more hours after the onset of symptoms of acute myocardial infarction) offers any short or long-term advantages with regards to left ventricular function and clinical outcome. We studied 100 consecutive patients at their first episode of myocardial infarction, admitted to Coronary Unit within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms. Of these patients, 62 were administered rt-PA (44 patients within the 6th hour, and 18 between the 6th and 24th hour after the onset of symptoms) and the 38 remaining patients, who did not receive the thrombolytic agent (due to concerns with respect to possible complications), constituted the control group (18 admitted within 6 hours and 20 between 6 and 24 hours). All patients underwent serial electrocardiograms, and echocardiograms upon admission and at discharge to assess the ejection fraction, the asynergy score and the percentage of ischemic area. Furthermore, the survivors were invited for a follow-up examination one year after their acute initial episode. Seven cases of heart failure occurred, before discharge, among the control patients admitted 6 to 24 hours after onset of symptoms, compared with no cases in the subgroup of patients treated with rt-PA during the same time period (p = 0.0068).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The forms of vitamin B12 on the transcobalamins

Prolactin (PRL) secretion in the periparturitional period in patients undergoing labor and vaginal delivery follows a remarkable multiphasic pattern not found in patients who underwent elective cesarean section without labor. There is a highly significant decline in PRL levels during active labor which reaches a nadir about two hours prior to delivery. Immediately after delivery, a surge of PRL is noted, reaching peak levels within two hours post partum. Thereafter, PRL levels fall, reaching a second nadir about nine hours post partum, and this low level is maintained for nine to 24 hours after delivery. This multiphasic pattern of PRL secretion is not correlated with changes in serum concentrations of cortisol, progesterone, estradiol, or estrone. PRL levels in all pregnant patients at term were unaffected by the administration of synthetic narcotic analgesic agents, anesthesia, or the stress of operation. It is concluded that PRL secretion in the pregnant patient at term is unresponsive to usual stimuli and that the multiphasic pattern of PRL secretion uniquely found with labor and vaginal delivery may be associated with dopaminergic neuroendocrine processes during human parturition.     

Warm tub bath during labor. A study of 1385 women with prelabor rupture of the membranes after 34 weeks of gestation

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the influence of a bath on infectious morbidity in mothers and neonates in women with prelabor rupture of the membranes after 34 weeks of gestation. METHODS: A nonrandomized study of 1385 healthy women. During the first stage of labor 538 women wanted a bath while 847 did not. The women awaited spontaneous contractions up to 24 or 72 hours after the membranes had ruptured before labor was induced with oxytocin. Digital examinations of the cervix were avoided until onset of active labor or until the time induction was planned. For statistical analysis Fisher's exact test was used. RESULTS: Chorioamnionitis during labor occurred in 1.1% of the women in the bath group and in 0.2% in the reference group (p = 0.06). Postpartum endometritis was found in three cases both in the bath group (0.6%) and in the reference group (0.4%) (p = 0.68). The frequency of neonates receiving antibiotics was 3.7% and 4.8% respectively (p = 0.43). CONCLUSION: A tub bath did not increase the risk of maternal or neonatal infection after premature rupture of the membranes and prolonged latency.     

Solitary vertebral plasmacytoma

This study compares fetal corticoid response from conventional dose (12.0 mg) intramuscular betamethasone to large dose (1,000 mg) intravenous cortisol administered to women in premature labor for acceleration of fetal lung maturity. To compare these two regimens, 14 women selected at random were treated in groups of seven with either cortisol or betamethasone. Peripheral levels of unconjugated estriol were measured by specific radioimmunoassay prior to the cortisol dose and at 1, 4, 8, and 12 hours following the dose. The rate of corticoid delivery to the fetal hypothalamic-adrenal axis was estimated by the per cent suppression of unconjugated estriol at each post-treatment interval. Least-squares regression lines fitted (P less than 0.01) for each regimen were compared for time saved (delta t) when cortisol was used. Mean delta t (1, 4, 8, and 12 hours) was 9.0 +/- 0.2 S.E.M. hours. It is concluded that: (1) Intravenous cortisol delivers a fetal corticoid effect that is significantly more rapid in onset and more profound in magnitude than does intramuscular betamethasone and that (2) the cortisol regimen is probably better suited to the acceleration of fetal lung maturation in premature labor when time is short and rapid action is essential.     

A comparative study of ketorolac (Toradol) and magnesium sulfate for arrest of preterm labor

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the efficacy and safety of ketorolac (Toradol). METHODS: In this prospective trial, 88 women in confirmed preterm labor at < or =32 weeks' gestation were randomized to receive magnesium sulfate given as an initial 6 g intravenous bolus followed by continuous infusion therapy (2 to 6 g/hr) or intramuscularly administered ketorolac (60 mg loading dose) followed by 30 mg every 6 hours for a maximum of 24 hours. RESULTS: The study groups were similar with respect to age, parity, cervical status, and gestational age on admission. Ketorolac was more rapid (2.71 hr+/-2.16) in the arrest of preterm labor than was magnesium sulfate (6.22 hr+/-5.65). No patient required discontinuance of either drug due to adverse effects. There was no difference in the incidence of neonatal complications between the two groups. CONCLUSION: In gestations with preterm labor at <32 weeks, ketorolac appears to be an appropriate first-line tocolytic agent.     

Birth trauma. A five-year review of incidence and associated perinatal factors

OBJECTIVE: To determine the current incidence of clavicular fracture (CF), facial nerve injury (FNI) and brachial plexus injury (BPI) and identify the existence, if any, of associated perinatal factors with each injury. STUDY DESIGN: A case-controlled study design was selected and the study conducted for births between January 1, 1985 and January 1, 1990, at Christ Hospital and Medical Center, a tertiary care center with level III perinatal services in suburban Chicago. Among a population of 19,370 consecutive deliveries, we identified the occurrences of CP, FNI and BPI by database search, and maternal and neonatal chart reviews. A control group was randomly selected. Maternal, labor, delivery and neonatal variables were then compared between the birth trauma and control groups for each specific injury. RESULTS: The incidence per 1,000 live births and per 1,000 live-born cephalic singletons delivered vaginally for CF was 4.5 and 5.7; for FNI, 0.6 and 0.7; and for BPI, 0.9 and 1.1, respectively. To varying degrees, the data demonstrate that the occurrences of these injuries are associated significantly more often with prolonged gestation, epidural anesthesia, prolonged second stage of labor, oxytocin use, forceps delivery, shoulder dystocia, macrosomia, low Apgar scores and a previous maternal obstetric history of macrosomia when compared to controls. Other significantly associated variables include the presence of meconium in labor and neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. Despite the presence of multiple perinatal factors that are individually associated statistically with the injured groups, multiple logistic regression analysis predicted 44.2% of CF's, none of the FNIs and only 19% of the BPIs. CONCLUSION: While multiple perinatal variables are statistically associated with the specific birth injuries studied, the use of multiple logistic regression analysis shows that the ability to predict these injuries is markedly limited.