Direct current conversion of maternal supraventricular tachycardia developed during the treatment of a pregnant heroin addict with ritodrine.

During ritodrine (UtoparR) treatment for premature labor, a chronic heroin-addicted patient developed supraventricular tachycardia which was treated by direct current (d.c) conversion, d.c. conversion did not affect the fetus, as judged by the cardiotocogram. As heroin addicts run an increased risk or developing cardiac arrhythmia, caution is advised when treating these patients with beta-mimetics.