Richard W. Stander

Myometrial and cardiovascular effects of an adrenergic blocking drug in human pregnancy

Abstract The effects of the beta adrenergic receptor blocking agent, propranolol, have been studied in term human pregnant subjects during spontaneous or oxytocin-induced labor. The influence of propranolol upon subsequent intravenous infusion of isoxsuprine was also assessed. Twenty subjects were studied by electronic monitoring of intrauterine pressure, maternal heart rate, and, in 4 cases, fetal heart rate. There was apparent increase of uterine activity during the intravenous infusion of propranolol in 11 of 20 subjects. In 9 subjects the effects of isoxsuprine infusion were compared with a second infusion of isoxsuprine immediately preceded by an infusion of propranolol. Both uterine inhibitory and cardioacceleratory actions of isoxsuprine were blocked. It is concluded that, in the dosage range of drugs studied, there is no evidence of selective cardiovascular blockade over uterine effects.

Effects of adrenergic blocking agents and catecholarnines in human pregnancy

Abstract The actions of adrenergic blocking agents were studied, especially as they affect the actions of epinephrine and norepinephrine in term human pregnancy during induced or spontaneous labor. The beta-blocking agent, propranolol, was infused intravenously on 24 occasions in 21 subjects. The influence of propranolol upon the actions of epinephrine was studied in 8 subjects and the effects of propranolol on the actions of norepinephrine were studied in 5 subjects. Three subjects received the alpha-blocking agent, phentolamine, prior to an infusion of norepinephrine. The results demonstrated the ability of propranolol to reverse the usual uterine inhibitory and cardioaccelerator action of epinephrine, the inability of propranolol to block the uterine stimulatory action of norepinephrine, and the ability of phentolamine to block the latter. The results suggest the investigational use of a beta-blocking agent to determine potential inhibitory effects of endogenous epinephrine upon labor.

FETAL CARDIAC EFFECTS OF MATERNAL ISOXSUPRINE INFUSION.

Abstract Fetal heart rate, maternal heart rate, maternal blood pressure, and intrauterine pressure have been studied in 22 patients during the infusion of isoxsuprine hydrochloride. Individual and group data have been presented.

Carcinoma of the cervix and pregnancy.

Abstract Thirty cases of carcinoma of the cervix associated with pregnancy have been reviewed and discussed in relationship to the frequency of coincidence of these conditions as well as the age and parity of the patients involved. Symptomatology has been discussed briefly. Delay has been discussed and the means of reducing delay in diagnosis have been outlined. A general outline of radiation therapy of these patients has been presented and the results of therapy have been discussed briefly.

Spontaneous contractility of human myometrium in an isolated isometric system

Abstract A study of spontaneous contractility of human myometrium in an isolated isometric system has indicated that well defined differences are found between myometrial specimens excised during the proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle and those associated with a secretory endometrium. Preparations from the gravid uterus exhibited characteristics that differentiate them from specimens excised from nonpregnant uteri. In subjects with functioning endometria, age and parity had no demonstrable influence upon rate of contraction or maximum tension of the preparations. Lowering of environmental temperature resulted in a marked reduction in spontaneous contraction rate and a prolongation of the contraction cycle but without a reduction in maximum tension developed during contraction cycles.