Evaluation of pulmonary and ductal vasculature: Fetal echocardiography for evaluation of therapy for preterm labor

Abstract

Treatment of preterm labor with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agents can lead to acute, transient changes in the caliber of the fetal ductus arteriosus. These changes can be detected and quantitated using fetal echocardiography. This complication can be successfully managed with serial study of the fetus using Doppler techniques and may be indicated serially. The β-agonist sympathomimetic medications used to treat preterm labor, such as terbutaline, have an immediate effect on the fetal circulation and increase the heart rate and the inotropic state of the fetal myocardium. The future will see improved methods of fetal testing to assess the effects of both preterm labor and its treatment on the fetal circulation. © 2005 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.