[Influence of captopril on hemodynamics of human placenta in vitro].

OBJECTIVES

Captopril, an agiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) is widely used drug in antihypertensive treatment. After maternal therapy with ACEI several adverse effects on fetus and neonate have been described but the patomechanism is not well known.

DESIGN

The purpose of the study was to determine the effects of varying Captopril concentrations on the perfusion pressure in fetal vessels in the in vitro placental double-sided perfusion model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Human placental cotyledons from term normal pregnancies were perfused with 100 ng/ml and 1000 ng/ml of Captopril. The perfusion pressure in fetal circuit in every 30 minutes of 3-hours experiment was measured.

RESULTS

The highest mean perfusion pressure in fetal circuit was observed in placentas perfused with Captopril in the dose of 100 ng/ml, whereas Captopril in the dose of 1000 ng/ml significantly decreased perfusion pressure after 180 minutes of the experiment.

CONCLUSION

The decrease in perfusion pressure in fetal vessels after relative high dose of Captopril may indicate its direct or indirect influence on capillaries.