Abstract
ABSTRACT: In this study we clarify the fetal cardiovascular effects of nifedipine. Nifedipine was administered to near-term rats and cardiovascular morphology of the fetus was studied with a rapid whole-body freezing technique. Fetal cardiac failure was estimated by accumulation of pericardial effusion and ventricular dilatation. Dose-response study at 8 h after administration revealed that slight ventricular dilatation occurred with 0.1 mg/kg of nifedipine, and remarkable ventricular dilatation and pericardial fluid accumulation were noted with 10 mg/kg nifedipine. Timecourse study with one dose of 10 mg/kg nifedipine revealed early ventricular dilatation at 1 h, peak ventricular dilatation and fluid accumulation at 8 h, and slight effects at 24 h. In conclusion, the cardiodepressive effect of nifedipine in the fetal rat was mild with the therapeutic dose, and its effects increased dose dependently.
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Momma, K., Takao, A. Fetal Cardiovascular Effects of Nifedipine in Rats. Pediatr Res 26, 442–447 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198911000-00016
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198911000-00016