Maternal pulmonary edema occurring after tocolytic therapy with salbutamol

BACKGROUND: Acute pulmonary edema may be induced by B2-mimetics used for to colysis. CASE REPORT: A 41-year-old patient, admitted for preterm labor, presented a cute pulmonary edema after parenteral tocolysis using salbutamol in combina tion with corticosteroid therapy to improve fetal pulmonary maturation. DISCUSSION: The pathogenic mechanism is essentially non-cardiologic. Fluid retention is probably the main cause, potentially worsened by corticosteroi d administration. If detected early, pulmonary edema is usually and adequat ely treated by cessation of B2-sympathomimetic therapy, oxygen administrati on and diuretics. Mechanical ventilation can be required. Cardiac function must be assessed after this complication. In preterm labor, the duration of tocolysis with B2-sympatomimetics should be reduced.