EFFECTS OF ANTIHYPERTENSIVE DRUGS ON MATERNAL AND FETAL HEMODYNAMICS AND UTERINE BLOOD-FLOW IN PREGNANT GOATS - COMPARISON OF NICARDIPINE AND LABETALOL

This study was designed to compare the effects of nicardipine (0.02 mg /kg) and labetalol (0.5 mg/kg) on the uterine blood flow and fetal cir culation after intravenous administration in unanesthetized, chronical ly instrumented pregnant goats. Significant decreases in maternal bloo d pressure and uterine blood flow were observed in both groups. The ma ternal heart rate increased significantly after the injection of nicar dipine, whereas this change was not observed after the labetalol injec tion. The fetal heart rate, blood pressure and acid-base status did no t change after the injection of either nicardipine or labetalol. These observations in pregnant goats suggest that both nicardipine and labe talol might be useful drugs for the treatment of acutely hypertensive crises in pregnant patients.