Uteroplacental blood flow in pregnancy hypertension after the administration of a beta-adrenoceptor blocker, pindolol.

The effect of a beta-adrenoceptor blocker, pindolol, on uteroplacental blood flow was determined in 10 women with pregnancy hypertension using an isotope technique giving a very low radiation dose. 0.5 mCi 113mIn was injected intravenously before and 30 min after 10 mg pindolol was given orally. After the administrations of 113mIn serial scintigrams were recorded for 240 s by a gamma camera on line with a computer, and the placenta was outlined for time-activity analysis of the isotope accumulation curves. From these curves a relative measure of the uteroplacental blood flow could be determined. Pindolol induced a significant fall in mean arterial pressure but there was no reduction of uteroplacental blood flow index.