Prevalence and management of severe intrapartum hypertension in patients with preeclampsia at an urban tertiary care medical center.

OBJECTIVES: Data on management of severe intrapartum hypertension is lacking. The aim of this study is to explore the proportion of timely interventions in severe, persistent intrapartum hypertension treatment by exploring the prevalence and management of intrapartum hypertension trends. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective case-control study of pregnant women who delivered at the University of Chicago between January 2015 and March 2017. Patients with severe preeclampsia who underwent labor (either induced or spontaneous) were stratified into two groups: severe intrapartum hypertension and no severe intrapartum hypertension. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Type of treatment and timing to treatment of severe hypertensive episodes were explored as well as prevalence of maternal adverse outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 95 patients with severe preeclampsia in labor were identified. In patients with persistent severe intrapartum hypertension (n = 52), 15 (28.9%) received treatment. Patients experiencing greater than three episodes of blood pressure elevation were more likely to receive treatment as compared to those with fewer episodes. There was no significant difference in severe maternal morbidity (SMM) between those treated within 60 min compared to those untreated or treated after 60 min (16.7% vs 27.5%; p = 0.71). CONCLUSIONS: Management protocols of intrapartum hypertensive episodes are variable or not universally implemented. Inadequately treated episodes of severe intrapartum hypertension trend towards higher rates of SMM.

Betamethasone administration during pregnancy is associated with placental epigenetic changes with implications for inflammation.

BACKGROUND: Glucocorticoids (GCs) play a pivotal role in fetal programming. Antenatal treatment with synthetic GCs (sGCs) in individuals in danger of preterm labor is common practice. Adverse short- and long-term effects of antenatal sGCs have been reported, but their effects on placental epigenetic characteristics have never been systematically studied in humans. RESULTS: We tested the association between exposure to the sGC betamethasone (BET) and placental DNA methylation (DNAm) in 52 exposed cases and 84 gestational-age-matched controls. We fine-mapped associated loci using targeted bisulfite sequencing. The association of placental DNAm with gene expression and co-expression analysis on implicated genes was performed in an independent cohort including 494 placentas. Exposure to BET was significantly associated with lower placenta DNAm at an enhancer of FKBP5. FKBP5 (FK506-binding protein 51) is a co-chaperone that modulates glucocorticoid receptor activity. Lower DNAm at this enhancer site was associated with higher expression of FKBP5 and a co-expressed gene module. This module is enriched for genes associated with preeclampsia and involved in inflammation and immune response. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that BET exposure during pregnancy associates with few but lasting changes in placental DNAm and may promote a gene expression profile associated with placental dysfunction and increased inflammation. This may represent a pathway mediating GC-associated negative long-term consequences and health outcomes in offspring.

Cervical Ripening and Labor Induction and Augmentation, 5th Edition.

Cervical ripening and induction and augmentation of labor are common procedures in labor and birth units. The potential risks and benefits for the procedure should be explained to women so that they can make informed decisions. Clinicians should be knowledgeable about the methods and medications used and be skilled in maternal-fetal assessment. Adequate nurse staffing is required to monitor the mother and fetus to promote the best possible outcomes. This practice monograph includes information on mechanical and pharmacologic methods for cervical ripening; labor induction and augmentation with oxytocin, a high alert drug; and nurse staffing levels and skills needed to provide safe and effective care during cervical ripening and labor induction and augmentation.

Aspirin (single dose) for perineal pain in the early postpartum period.

BACKGROUND: Perineal trauma, due to spontaneous tears, surgical incision (episiotomy), or in association with operative vaginal birth, is common after vaginal birth, and is often associated with postpartum perineal pain. Birth over an intact perineum may also lead to perineal pain. There are adverse health consequences associated with perineal pain for the women and their babies in the short- and long-term, and the pain may interfere with newborn care and the establishment of breastfeeding. Aspirin has been used in the management of postpartum perineal pain, and its effectiveness and safety should be assessed. This is an update of the review, last published in 2017. OBJECTIVES: To determine the effects of a single dose of aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), including at different doses, in the relief of acute postpartum perineal pain. SEARCH METHODS: For this update, we searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth's Trials Register (4 October 2019), ClinicalTrials.gov, the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) (4 October 2019) and screened reference lists of retrieved studies. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs), assessing single dose aspirin compared with placebo, no treatment, a different dose of aspirin, or single dose paracetamol or acetaminophen, for women with perineal pain in the early postpartum period. We planned to include cluster-RCTs, but none were identified. We excluded quasi-RCTs and cross-over studies. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently assessed study eligibility, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of the included RCTs. Data were checked for accuracy. The certainty of the evidence for the main comparison (aspirin versus placebo) was assessed using the GRADE approach. MAIN RESULTS: We included 17 RCTs, 16 of which randomised 1132 women to aspirin or placebo; one RCT did not report numbers of women. Two RCTs (of 16) did not contribute data to meta-analyses. All women had perineal pain post-episiotomy, and were not breastfeeding. Studies were published between 1967 and 1997, and the risk of bias was often unclear, due to poor reporting. We included four comparisons: aspirin versus placebo (15 RCTs); 300 mg versus 600 mg aspirin (1 RCT); 600 mg versus 1200 mg aspirin (2 RCTs); and 300 mg versus 1200 mg aspirin (1 RCT). Aspirin versus placebo Aspirin may result in more women reporting adequate pain relief four to eight hours after administration compared with placebo (risk ratio (RR) 2.03, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.69 to 2.42; 13 RCTs, 1001 women; low-certainty evidence). It is uncertain whether aspirin compared with placebo has an effect on the need for additional pain relief (RR 0.25, 95% CI 0.17 to 0.37; 10 RCTs, 744 women; very low-certainty evidence), or maternal adverse effects (RR 1.08, 95% CI 0.57 to 2.06; 14 RCTs, 1067 women; very low-certainty evidence), four to eight hours after administration. Analyses based on dose did not reveal any clear subgroup differences. 300 mg versus 600 mg aspirin It is uncertain whether over four hours after administration, 300 mg compared with 600 mg aspirin has an effect on adequate pain relief (RR 0.82, 95% CI 0.36 to 1.86; 1 RCT, 81 women) or the need for additional pain relief (RR 0.68, 95% CI 0.12 to 3.88; 1 RCT, 81 women). There were no maternal adverse effects in either aspirin group. 600 mg versus 1200 mg aspirin It is uncertain whether over four to eight hours after administration, 600 mg compared with 1200 mg aspirin has an effect on adequate pain relief (RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.52 to 1.39; 2 RCTs, 121 women), the need for additional pain relief (RR 1.32, 95% CI 0.30 to 5.68; 2 RCTs, 121 women), or maternal adverse effects (RR 3.00, 95% CI 0.13 to 69.52; 2 RCTs, 121 women). 300 mg versus 1200 mg aspirin It is uncertain whether over four hours after administration, 300 mg compared with 1200 mg aspirin has an effect on adequate pain relief (RR 0.62, 95% CI 0.29 to 1.32; 1 RCT, 80 women) or need for additional pain relief (RR 2.00, 95% CI 0.19 to 21.18; 1 RCT, 80 women). There were no maternal adverse effects in either aspirin group. None of the included RCTs reported on neonatal adverse effects. No RCTs reported on secondary review outcomes of: prolonged hospitalisation due to perineal pain; re-hospitalisation due to perineal pain; fully breastfeeding at discharge; mixed feeding at discharge; fully breastfeeding at six weeks; mixed feeding at six weeks; perineal pain at six weeks; maternal views; or maternal postpartum depression. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Single dose aspirin may increase adequate pain relief in women with perineal pain post-episiotomy compared with placebo. It is uncertain whether aspirin has an effect on the need for additional analgesia, or on maternal adverse effects, compared with placebo. We downgraded the certainty of the evidence because of study limitations (risk of bias), imprecision, and publication bias. Aspirin may be considered for use in non-breastfeeding women with post-episiotomy perineal pain. Included RCTs excluded breastfeeding women, so there was no evidence to assess the effects of aspirin on neonatal adverse effects or breastfeeding. Future RCTs should be designed to ensure low risk of bias, and address gaps in the evidence, such as the secondary outcomes established for this review. Current research has focused on women with post-episiotomy pain; future RCTs could be extended to include women with perineal pain associated with spontaneous tears or operative birth.

Considering Labor After Cesarean in a Woman with Class 3 Obesity.

Because of the high cesarean rate in the United States, perinatal care providers are increasingly called upon to counsel women considering labor after cesarean. This counseling can be more complicated for women with class 3 obesity, defined as a body mass index at or exceeding 40. Although labor after cesarean may be less likely to result in successful vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) for this population, the risks of repeat cesarean are also higher for these women. This case report describes the benefits and risks of labor after cesarean, the chance of successful VBAC, and clinical recommendations to aid women in achieving VBAC when class 3 obesity is present.

Alumbramiento dirigido con oxitocina intraumbilical / Third stage of labor directed with intraumbilical oxytocin

OBJETIVO: Demostrar la efectividad del alumbramiento dirigido con oxitocina vía intraumbilical en sala de partos del Hospital "Dr. José María Carabaño Tosta", en Maracay Estado Aragua, Venezuela. Tipo de estudio: Diseño transversal, realizado entre febrero-agosto del 2019. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: 50 pacientes manejadas con alumbramiento dirigido con 10 UI de oxitocina a través de la vena umbilical (grupo experimental) del extremo placentario y 50 pacientes manejadas con alumbramiento espontáneo (grupo control). Se comparó el tiempo de alumbramiento, perdidas hemáticas y evolución clínica. RESULTADOS: Grupo expuesto: tiempo medio de alumbramiento 3,52 minutos, volumen medio del sangrado 112,8 ml y valor medio de hemoglobina-hematocrito pre y post parto 11,01 gr/dl-34,3% y 10,7 gr/dl-32,4% respectivamente. Grupo control: tiempo medio de alumbramiento 13,02 minutos, volumen medio del sangrado 232,7 ml y valor medio de hemoglobina-hematocrito pre y post parto 11,3 gr/dl-34,9% y 10,1 gr/dl-31,2 respectivamente. El grupo expuesto no presento complicaciones, mientras que el 4% del grupo control presentó hipotonía uterina y hemorragia post parto. CONCLUSIÓN: En el grupo expuesto el alumbramiento fue significativamente más rápido y las perdidas hemáticas fueron significativamente menores (p: 0,000). Se concluye que el alumbramiento dirigido con oxitocina vía intraumbilical es más efectivo comparado con el alumbramiento espontáneo. No aplicar alumbramiento dirigido es un procedimiento que lleva a mayor riesgo de hemorragias puerperales y complicaciones obstétricas

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate effectiveness of third stage of labor directed with intraumbilical oxytocin in the delivery room at Hospital "Dr. José María Carabaño Tosta", in Maracay, Aragua, Venezuela. Type of study: Cross-sectional, carried out between February-August 2019. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 50 patients managed with third stage of labor led with 10 IU oxytocin through the umbilical vein (exposed group) and 50 patients managed with spontaneous third stage of labor (control group). We compared time of birth, blood loss and clinical outcome. RESULTS: Exposed group: 3.52 minutes average delivery time, average volume of the bleeding 112.8 ml and mean hemoglobin hematocrit value pre and post-delivery 11,01 gr/dl-34,3% and 10.7 gr/dl-32,4% respectively. CONTROL GROUP: 13,02 minutes average delivery time, average volume of bleeding 232,7 ml and mean hemoglobin hematocrit value pre and post-partum 11.3 gr/dl-34,9% and 10.1 gr/dl-31,2% respectively. The exposed group did not present any complication, while 4% of the control group presented uterine hypotonia and post-partum hemorrhage. CONCLUSION: In the experimental group, the birth was significantly quicker and the lost blood were significantly lower (p: 0.000). We concluded that placenta with oxytocin via umbilical is more effective compared with spontaneous labor. There is no reason not to perform third stage of labor oxitocine in order to decrease obstetric hemorrhage risk and further complications

Pharmacokinetic and Biochemical Profiling of Sodium Dichloroacetate in Pregnant Ewes and Fetuses.

Sodium dichloroacetate (DCA) is an investigational drug that shows promise in the treatment of acquired and congenital mitochondrial diseases, including myocardial ischemia and failure. DCA increases glucose utilization and decreases lactate production, so it may also have clinical utility in reducing lactic acidosis during labor. In the current study, we tested the ability of DCA to cross the placenta and be measured in fetal blood after intravenous administration to pregnant ewes during late gestation and labor. Sustained administration of DCA to the mother over 72 hours achieved pharmacologically active levels of DCA in the fetus and decreased fetal plasma lactate concentrations. Multicompartmental pharmacokinetics modeling indicated that drug metabolism in the fetal and maternal compartments is best described by the DCA inhibiting lactate production in both compartments, consistent with our finding that the hepatic expression of the DCA-metabolizing enzyme glutathione transferase zeta1 was decreased in the ewes and their fetuses exposed to the drug. We provide the first evidence that DCA can cross the placental compartment to enter the fetal circulation and inhibit its own hepatic metabolism in the fetus, leading to increased DCA concentrations and decreased fetal plasma lactate concentrations during its parenteral administration to the mother. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This study was the first to administer sodium dichloroacetate (DCA) to pregnant animals (sheep). It showed that DCA administered to the mother can cross the placental barrier and achieve concentrations in fetus sufficient to decrease fetal lactate concentrations. Consistent with findings reported in other species, DCA-mediated inhibition of glutathione transferase zeta1 was also observed in ewes, resulting in reduced metabolism of DCA after prolonged administration.

Rational control of arterial pressure during labor in women with arterial hypertension.

OBJECTIVES: Were to identify the advantages and disadvantages of different protocols of antihypertensive therapy in women with arterial hypertension during the process of labour and their effects on the labour progressing and perinatal complications. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 228 women who had childbirth in 2013-2018 in the Ternopil perinatal centre "Mother and Child" were surveyed. The study included full-term singleton pregnancies in cephalic presentation. According to the treatment program, women were divided into 4 groups: Group 1: 58 pregnant women who neglected treatment or had insufficient compliance; Group 2: 57 pregnant women who used methyldopa and classic beta-blockers during pregnancy and labor; Group 3: 57 pregnant women who received high selective beta-blocker with vasodilating properties nebivolol in addition to methyldopa; Group 4: 56 healthy pregnant women with normal blood pressure and without other somatic pathology. RESULTS: Hypertension and inadequate hemodynamic control can become risk factors for higher incidence of low birth weight, prolonged or discoordinated labour, excessive blood loss during and after delivery. The program of treating hyper- tension in pregnant women with nebivolol hydrochloride provides sufficient control of blood pressure and helps to avoid blood pressure spikes or an excessive increase of systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate during childbirth, which could endanger the mother's health. CONCLUSIONS: The treatment with nebivolol hydrochloride for women with chronic arterial hypertension during pregnancy and delivery allows to normalize the progress and duration of labour, decrease the incidence of low birth weight and the percentage of excessive blood loss during labour.

Labour analgesia; Molecular pathway and the role of nanocarriers: a systematic review.

Labour is considered to be one of the most painful procedures in human experience. The most effective technique for pain relief during labour is neuraxial labour analgesia which provides analgesia without maternal or fetal sedation. Genetic predisposition may be of importance for pain perception and women experience varying degrees of pain in labour. Genetic variations in opioid receptor (OPR) genes may influence the response to epidural opioid analgesia during labour. The single-nucleotide polymorphism, A118G of the mu opioid receptor gene (oprm1), has been associated with altered pain perception. Targeted drug delivery reduces toxic side effects. Liposomes, nano-particles, nanofibres hydrogel, have been suggested to deliver anaesthetic drugs.

Daily gentamicin using ideal body weight demonstrates lower risk of postpartum endometritis and increased chance of successful outcome compared with traditional 8-hour dosing for the treatment of intrapartum chorioamnionitis.

Background: Clinical chorioamnionitis complicates approximately 1-4% of pregnancies overall. Although universal agreement does not exist regarding the antibiotic regimen of choice, most studies have evaluated intravenous ampicillin dosed at 2 g every 6 hours plus gentamicin dosed every 8 hours. Only three studies have examined daily gentamicin for the treatment of intrapartum chorioamnionitis and thus is insufficiently investigated. Objective: This study seeks to determine whether daily dosing of gentamicin using ideal body weight for the treatment of intrapartum chorioamnionitis is more or equivalently efficacious when compared to traditional 8-hour dosing regimens. Materials and methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study and reviewed charts on all women receiving treatment for intrapartum chorioamnionitis, which included intravenous gentamicin daily dosing calculated using 5 mg/kg ideal body weight or receiving traditional every 8 hours dosing of gentamicin at two large academic centers. Our primary outcomes were resolution of infection following delivery without the development of maternal endometritis and/or neonatal sepsis. Baseline characteristics were compared between dosing groups using Welch two-sample t-tests for continuous variables, uncorrected X2 test and exact binomial 95% confidence intervals. We calculated the risk ratios of each outcome in the ideal versus traditional dosing groups using modified Poisson regression, both crude and adjusted. Adjusted models were controlled for variables determined to be potential confounders, which included BMI, diabetes mellitus, gestational blood pressure >140/90, group ß-Streptococcus status, race, advanced maternal age (>34 y), and parity. Results: The study included 500 patients with 255 patients receiving daily dosing of gentamicin and 245 receiving traditional dosing of gentamicin. Of the patients receiving daily gentamicin compared to traditional dosing, 95.7% (95% CI 94.9-96.6%) achieved the primary outcome versus 92% (95% CI 90.8 - 93.2%), 2.4% (95% CI 1.8-3%) developed endometritis versus 5.6% (4.5-6.7%), 1.6% (95% CI 1.1-2.1%) delivered neonates with sepsis versus 3.3% (CI 2.5-4.1%), and 36.9% required cesarean delivery versus 41.4%. In crude analysis, compared to traditional dosing, IDW daily dosing was associated with a lower risk of postpartum endometritis (RR 0.42, 95% CI 0.16-1.10, p = .032). After adjusting for BMI, diabetes mellitus, gestational blood pressure >140/90, group ß-Streptococcus status, race, advanced maternal age (>34 y), and parity, the IDW daily dosing group had a 5% greater chance of successful outcome (RR 1.05, 95% CI 1.00-1.10, p = .046) and a 64% lower risk of endometritis (RR 0.35, 95% CI 0.15-0.83, p = .017). Conclusion: Daily dosing of gentamicin using ideal body weight is associated with a lower risk of postpartum endometritis and high chance of a successful outcome in the treatment of intrapartum chorioamnionitis compared with traditional 8-hour dosing in our ethnically diverse, urban population and thus may be considered a superior option to every 8 hours dosing regimens.

Intrapartum synthetic oxytocin and breastfeeding: a retrospective cohort study.

Non-pulsatile oxytocin given during labour can negatively affect breastfeeding. The aim of this study was to assess whether intrapartum oxytocin administration has any effect on breastfeeding. Secondly, to assess whether some maternal or neonatal variables influence breastfeeding. A retrospective cohort study was done, comparing two groups: women exposed (n = 101) and not exposed to oxytocin (n = 100) during labour. Women with caesarean section, vacuum extraction/forceps, twin pregnancy, breech presentation, premature neonates and with an Apgar score <7 at 5 minutes were excluded. Duration of breastfeeding was evaluated by a phone call interview. A regression analysis was done, evaluating possible confounding factors. The use of oxytocin during labour was demonstrated to be a predictor of impaired first hour breastfeeding (OR =2.493, CI: 1.05-5.92; p = .038). At three months' postpartum, 26.7% women in the exposed group versus 14% in the non-exposed group were not breastfeeding (p = .035). This result was not statistically significant when adjusting for possible confounders. High pregestational body mass index was the best predictor of an impaired third month's postpartum breastfeeding (OR =0.901, CI: 0.835-0.972; p = .007). Intrapartum oxytocin administration could inhibit first hour breastfeeding. A novel association was detected, pregestational body mass index was a predictor of impaired breastfeeding at three months, possibly confounding the oxytocin effect. Additional prospective studies are needed to investigate potential associations between intrapartum oxytocin and breastfeeding. Impact statement What is already known on this subject? Oxytocin is a common medical intervention during labour. Some studies suggest a negative association between intrapartum oxytocin dose, newborn sucking and an increased risk of early breastfeeding discontinuation. However, some maternal variables were not considered in these studies and the impact synthetic oxytocin may have on breastfeeding has not been thoroughly researched. What do the results of this study add? In this study, intrapartum oxytocin administration seems to inhibit the first hour breastfeeding. However, a novel association was detected, high pregestational body mass index was a predictor of impaired breastfeeding at three months, possibly confounding oxytocin effects. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Additional prospective studies are needed to investigate potential associations between intrapartum oxytocin and breastfeeding. Therefore, health care professionals should help obese women, starting from conception, to maximise breastfeeding outcomes as much as possible.

Factors affecting rotation of occiput posterior position during the first stage of labor.

INTRODUCTION: Fetal occiput posterior (OP) positions account for 15 to 20% of cephalic presentations and are associated with poorer maternal and neonatal outcomes than occiput anterior (OA) positions. The aim of this study was to identify maternal, neonatal and obstetric factors associated with rotation from OP to OA position during the first stage of labor. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This secondary analysis of a multicenter randomized controlled trial (EVADELA) included 285 laboring women with ruptured membranes and a term fetus in OP position. After excluding women with cesarean deliveries before full dilatation, we compared two groups according to fetal head position at the end of the first stage of labor: those with and without rotation from OP to OA position. Factors associated with rotation were assessed with univariate and multivariate analyses using multilevel logistic regression models. RESULTS: The rate of anterior rotation during the first stage was 49.1%. Rotation of the fetal head was negatively associated with excessive gestational weight gain (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 0.37, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.17-0.80), macrosomia (aOR: 0.35, 95% CI: 0.14-0.90), direct OP position (aOR: 0.24, 95% CI: 0.09-0.65), and prelabor rupture of membranes (aOR: 0.40, 95% CI: 0.19-0.86). Oxytocin administration was the only factor positively associated with fetal head rotation (aOR: 2.17, 95% CI: 1.20-3.91). DISCUSSION: Oxytocin administration may affect rotation of OP positions during the first stage of labor. Further studies should be performed to assess the risks and benefits of its utilization for managing labor with a fetus in OP position.

Outpatient post-partum antibiotic prescription: method of identification of infection control areas demanding improvements and verification of sensitivity of infection registration.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate data on outpatient antibiotic use in women post-labour as a potential method of monitoring infections in this group of patients. METHODS: Demographic and antibiotic prescription data originated from the registries of the National Health Fund (pol. Narodowy Fundusz Zdrowia). The measure of antibiotic use in this study was the percentage of women who purchased the drugs from prescriptions and DDDs. RESULTS: Among 67917 females who gave birth in the years 2013-14, 5050 (7.4%) purchased antibiotics prescribed by the obstetrician only. The average number of antibiotics bought per person was equivalent to ∼14 DDDs; in most cases (95.7%) these were ß-lactams. Antibiotic use occurred significantly more frequently among younger patients (11.5% patients <18 years of age), those living in rural areas (8.2%) and those who underwent Caesarean section (8.1%). No significant differences were found between the reported day of labour and the post-partum use of antibiotics. CONCLUSIONS: Antibiotic prescribing data can be used to verify/complement the information originating from hospital infection registries to monitor rates of infection in obstetric patients.

Taquicardia supraventricular paroxística durante el trabajo de parto / Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia during labor

Afortunadamente, las arritmias malignas en un embarazo de curso normal son raras y la mayoría de las quejas por palpitaciones se deben a arritmias benignas. Dentro de ellas las taquicardias supraventriculares paroxísticas (TSP) se describen en la literatura con relativa frecuencia y pueden ocurrir sólo, o incluso exacerbarse, durante el embarazo, debido a un efecto pro-arritmogénico de la gestación. Así en pacientes gestantes la carga hemodinámica y los cambios del tono autonómico facilitan la aparición de arritmias, más frecuentemente en mujeres con limitada reserva cardíaca y pueden llegar a comprometer la supervivencia del feto y de la madre debido a las consecuencias hemodinámicas o los efectos adversos de los tratamientos farmacológicos y no farmacológicos. Presentamos el caso de una gestante a término que durante el trabajo de parto, posterior a la administración de analgesia epidural con ropivacaína y fentanilo, sufre un cuadro de hipotensión materna y bradicardia materna/fetal mantenida que requiere ser medicada con efedrina y atropina intravenosa. Inmediatamente presenta palpitaciones y dolor torácico sostenido, diagnosticándosele TSP que cede con la administración de adenosina intravenosa, no repitiendo nuevos episodios durante el trabajo de parto ni puerperio. En nuestro caso la arritmia ocurrió como efecto adverso de la efedrina y administradas para recuperar el cuadro de hipotensión causada por la analgesia epidural.