Changes in fetoplacental Doppler indices following intrapartum maternal sildenafil citrate treatment.

OBJECTIVE

Uterine contractions during labour can result in a 60 % decline in fetoplacental perfusion, predisposing the fetus to hypoxic brain injury. Sildenafil citrate (SC) has shown promise in increasing uteroplacental perfusion as well as reducing the risk of operative birth for intrapartum fetal compromise (IFC). The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of intrapartum SC administration on fetoplacental blood flow indices.

METHODS

This was a subgroup analysis from an earlier Phase II double blind randomized controlled trial; assessing the effect of intrapartum SC administration (50 mg orally 8 -hly in labour) compared to placebo for the reduction of operative birth for IFC. An ultrasound scan measuring fetoplacental Doppler indices was performed prior to and 1-4 h after the administration of the first treatment dose.

RESULTS

Of the 300 women randomized to the main study, pre-treatment ultrasound scans were performed in 261 participants who received the study medication; paired pre- and post-treatment scans were performed in 70 (26.8 %). SC resulted in an increase in the middle cerebral artery pulsatility index (PI) z-score [+0.08 (1.35) vs.-0.12 (1.15)], a decline in the umbilical artery-PI z-score [-0.07 (0.96) vs. + 0.04 (1.25)] and an increase in the cerebroplacental ratio [MCA-PI/UA-PI] (CPR) z-score [+0.10 (1.13) vs.-0.26 (1.14)] although these failed to reach statistical significance. Amongst those with a pre-treatment CPR above the 5th centile, SC significantly reduced the risk of operative birth for IFC compared to placebo [logrank p = 0.02; hazards ratio 0.48, 95 % CI 0.29-0.77, p = 0.003].

CONCLUSION

Although the differences in Doppler indices pre- and post- SC treatment were non-significant, there was a clear trend towards a reduction in the UA PI, a corresponding increase in the MCA PI and a rise in post treatment CPR values suggesting potential improvement in fetoplacental Dopplers with intrapartum SC treatment. However this study was limited by the small sample size. The results of this hypothesis generating study suggest that it may be possible to stratify women that would most benefit from this intervention based upon their pre-labour CPR.