Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and side effect profile of atosiban with hexoprenaline when used for intrauterine resuscitation of intrapartum fetal distress.
Study design: Women in labour with acute intrapartum fetal distress detected by cardiotocography were randomly assigned to receive intravenous atosiban or hexoprenaline.
Setting: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Karl Franzens University of Graz and General Hospital Graz, Austria.
Population or sample: One thousand and four hundred and thirty-one women with singleton pregnancy at term and cephalic presentation were enrolled in the study during October 2000 and May 2001.
Methods: A prospective, randomised, pilot study with no a priori sample size calculation.
Main outcome measure: Efficacy of treatment for stopping uterine contractions and the resumption of contractions determined by fetal heart rate monitoring.
Results: Tocolysis was achieved in 92% (12/13) of the women receiving atosiban and 100% (13/13) of those receiving hexoprenaline. Maternal tachycardia developed in 1/13 women, receiving atosiban and 10/13 women hexoprenaline. Hypertension occurred in 1/13 on atosiban and 3/13 women on hexoprenaline. Palpitations were only reported by 10/13 women receiving hexoprenaline. Uterine contractions resumed after 8 minutes (+/-3) in the atosiban group and 14 minutes (+/-4) in the hexoprenaline group (P < 0.001).
Conclusion: Atosiban and hexoprenaline were similarly effective for stopping uterine contractions. Women receiving atosiban had significantly fewer adverse events than those receiving hexoprenaline. Uterine contractions resumed more promptly in the atosiban group. Considering the low incidence of mild maternal adverse events, atosiban may be an option for acute intrapartum tocolysis for fetal distress.