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Blood flow modifications of uterine, umbilical and fetal middle cerebral arteries in preeclamptic patients treated with nitroglycerin patches

Abstract:

Objective: To identify modifications in blood flow in uterine, umbilical and fetal middle cerebral arteries in preeclamptic patients treated with nitroglycerin patches. Method: The sample consisted of 31 preeclamptic nulliparous patients with pregnancies of more than 25 weeks who attended the obstetric emergency service at the Dr. Urquinaona Central Hospital. The pulsatility index, resistance index and systolic/diastolic blood flow ratio of uterine, umbilical and fetal middle cerebral arteries were measured before treatment and after 24 and 48. h of treatment administration. Treatment consisted of 5. mg transdermal nitroglycerin patches, applied in the anterior thoracic and lumbar region of patients for 12. h (total time of 48. h). Results: The pulsatility index, resistance index and systolic/diastolic blood flow ratio significantly decreased after the use of nitroglycerin patches (p<0.05). There were no significant modifications in the umbilical and fetal middle cerebral arteries at 24 and 48 h when compared with initial values (p=ns). There were no adverse effects. Conclusion: Nitroglycerin patches decreased resistance to blood flow in the uterine arteries of preeclamptic patients without producing significant modifications in the umbilical and fetal middle cerebral arteries. © 2009 Elsevier España, S.L.