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Am J Perinatol 1986; 3(1): 41-46
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-999824
ORIGINAL ARTICLE

© 1986 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.

Effect of Ritodrine and Betamethasone on Metabolism, Respiration, and Circulation

Ludwig Spätling1 , Klaus J. Staisch2 , Renate Huch1 , Albert Huch1
  • 1Division of Perinatal Physiology, Department of Obstetrics, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
  • 2Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
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Publication Date:
04 March 2008 (online)

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ABSTRACT

In order to obtain information on pharmacologic side effects of the most commonly used betamimetic in obstetrics, ritodrine (R) was infused under standardized, controlled conditions in one male and four nonpregnant female volunteers in increasing doses from 0.9 to 7.2 μg/kg/min. In second series, the same was done after premedication with 12 mg betamethasone (B), intravenously, 30 minutes before the start of the R infusion. Ritodrine caused increases in cardiac and respiratory work that were associated with rises in energy requirements and impaired efficiency of breathing. Premedication with betamethasone potentiated all side effects with the exception of diffusion capacity.