Pulmonary edema after ritodrine therapy during pregnancy and subsequent cesarean section with epidural anesthesia

Clin Exp Obstet Gynecol. 2004;31(1):67-9.

Abstract

Ritodrine, a beta-sympathicomimetic drug that is frequently used for the prevention of preterm birth. Preterm delivery is an important cause of low birth weight. One of the most important side-effects of ritodrine is pulmonary edema. In patients developing pulmonary edema after ritodrine therapy, aggressive fluid resuscitation during the operation period should be avoided. Successful epidural anesthesia can be achieved with a slow-onset epidural block after moderate fluid infusion. We report the management of a pregnant patient developing pulmonary edema after ritodrine therapy and undergoing cesarean section with epidural anesthesia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anesthesia, Epidural
  • Cesarean Section
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications / chemically induced*
  • Pulmonary Edema / chemically induced*
  • Ritodrine / adverse effects*
  • Ritodrine / therapeutic use
  • Sympathomimetics / adverse effects*
  • Sympathomimetics / therapeutic use
  • Tocolysis / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Sympathomimetics
  • Ritodrine