The effects of oxytocin and atosiban on the modulation of heart rate in pregnant women.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate autonomic modulation of heart rate in pregnant women treated with oxytocin to induce labor and with atosiban (an oxytocin antagonist) to arrest preterm labor.

METHODS

A prospective study with two cohorts: 14 pregnant women treated with atosiban for premature uterine contractions, and 28 women undergoing induction of labor with oxytocin. Computerized analyses of the electrocardiogram were performed with spectral and nonlinear dynamic analyses.

RESULTS

Atosiban did not alter any of the variables associated with heart rate variability, whereas oxytocin showed a dose-dependent decrease in heart rate (p < 0.05) and a significant increase in all spectral variables studied (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Atosiban has no adverse effects on the cardiovascular system or the modulation of heart rate. Oxytocin, on the other hand, can cause a dose-dependent bradycardic effect and an increase in the spectral power, thus should be used with caution in certain pregnant women.