RANDOMIZED TRIAL OF OXYTOCIN ALONE AND WITH PROPRANOLOL IN THE MANAGEMENT OF DYSFUNCTIONAL LABOR

Objective: To compare oxytocin infusion alone and with intravenous (IV ) propranolol in the management of dysfunctional labor. Methods: Ninet y-six parturients with abnormalities of the active phase of labor were randomly assigned to either propranolol 2 mg IV or an identical place bo, in addition to continuous infusion of oxytocin. Administration of propranolol or placebo was repeated in 1 hour if there was no change i n cervical dilation. Patients not responding to this second administra tion of propranolol or placebo were delivered by cesarean. Results: Am ong 96 subjects enrolled, 49 were allocated to the propranolol group a nd 47 to the placebo group; 13 (26.5%) of the former were delivered by cesarean, compared with 24 (51.1%) of the latter (relative risk 0.58, 95% confidence interval 0.35-0.93; P = .02). Between the two groups, no differences were observed in low Apgar scores, cord arterial pH, or incidence of admissions to the neonatal intensive care nursery. Mater nal morbidity was similar in both groups. After logistic regression an alysis controlling for nulliparity, birth weight, and epidural anesthe tic use, the significant reduction in the cesarean rate associated wit h use of propranolol persisted. Propranolol administration was associa ted with a markedly reduced cesarean rate among patients with inadequa te uterine contractility. Conclusion: Low-dose administration of IV pr opranolol in patients with dysfunctional labor augmented with oxytocin safely reduced the need for cesarean delivery, particularly among pat ients with inadequate uterine contractility.