[Acute pulmonary edema occurred during tocolytic treatment using nicardipine in a twin pregnancy. Report of three cases]

Abstract

We report three cases of acute pulmonary edema that occurred during treatment by intravenous tocolysis using nicardipine in twin pregnancy patients with no previous heart problems. The three patients were admitted into our unit on account of the risk of premature birth after 29 to 32 weeks of amenorrhea. The treatment by intravenous tocolysis using nicardipine combined with glucocorticoids therapy had been undertaken in the previous maternity ward. The three patients presented symptoms of acute dyspnea 48 hours after the beginning of the treatment. Paraclinical examinations eliminated the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. The patients'condition improved rapidly with appropriate diuretic treatment and by modifying the tocolysis. There are currently few studies proving the benefits of nicardipine in tocolysis treatment. Few similar cases of acute pulmonary edema have been noted in twin pregnancy patients treated with nicardipine. Haemodynamic modifications specific to twin pregnancy, intravenous hydratation and glucocorticoid maturation may explain a part of this complication. Therefore, it is appropriated to limit the use of intravenous nicardipine in the sole indication of tocolysis in twin pregnancy, and to prefer the use of nifedipine and atosiban, that have proven their effectiveness in this indication.