Nitric oxide for treatment of threatened preterm labor

Objective: The aim of our study was the assessment of effectiveness of nitr oglycerin as a donor of nitric oxide, administered in the form of transderm al therapeutic system, applied in the treatment of threatening preterm labo r. Patients and methods: The study was carried out on 30 pregnant patients with the symptoms of threatening preterm labor between 27th and 34th week o f gestation. The patients were given nitroglycerin in the form of transderm al system releasing 5 mg of nitroglycerin in 24 h. Results: In our study th e decrease in contractility and relaxation of uterus was observed in all ob stetric patients. No changes in the fetal pulse rate and cardiotocographic tracing in the course of treatment and after completing treatment were obse rved. Conclusion: Nitroglycerin in the form of transdermal therapeutic syst em releasing nitric oxide may be an effective and safe tocolytic drug, howe ver, further investigation needs to be performed. (C) 2001 International Fe deration of Gynecology and Obstetrics. All rights reserved.