The Effect of Isosorbide Dinitrate on Prevention of Preterm Delivery

The role of Nitric oxide in myometrial function is known and Nitric oxide donors are used for prevention of preterm delivery during recent years. This research was conducted as RCT during 14 months in Shahid Akbar Abadi Hospital. 150 pregnant women with live and singletone pregnancies in the 34-37th week of gestation and with preterm uterine contractions were randomly divided into two groups: case(isosorbide dinitrate) and control(no medication) group. Age, gestational age, parity, cervical dilatation and effacement were the same in both groups. Based on the obtained results it was found out that isosorbide dinitrate(ISD) was effective for prevention of preterm delivery at least for 48 hours(P<0.0001). ISD had no adverse effect on 1 and 5 minute Apgar score. The mean time from initiation of ISD to suppression of uterine contractions was 3.291±1 hours. Side effects of ISD were hypotension(7.4%), headache(4.9%) and tachycardia(2.5%). On the basis of these findings, it can be concluded that ISD is a good choice for prevention of preterm delivery because of its low cost and side effects as well as its easy usage.