Canadian Journal of Anesthesia, Vol 1, 87-94, Copyright © 1954 by Canadian Anesthesiologists' Society

Hydergine Therapy of Uterine Inertia

¹ Departments of Anaesthesia of the Vancouver Grace Hospital and the Burnaby General Hospital

One hundred obstetrical patients were treated with Hydergine. The drug was used intravenously in various dilutions. In 64 percent of the cases the results obtained were dramatic. In the remaining 36 percent the poor results were attributed to: (1) the high incidence of complicating factors, (2) the random selection of the earlier cases.

The one case of uterine spasm may have been a coincidence. However, because of this, we have resorted to the use of intravenous drip infusion of a solution of 1 ampoule of Hydergine diluted in 500 ml. of 5% glucose solution.

Hydergine should be reserved for patients who manifest all of the clinical criteria of primary uterine inertia and cervical spasm. We feel that definite evidence of cephalo-pelvic disproportion is a contra-indication for this therapy. In our experience the drug is of no value in expediting normal labour.

We are not prepared to say whether the sympatholytic and adrenolytic actions of Hydergine produce their effects predominantly on the cervix or on the entire uterus. Whatever and wherever its mode of action, the net result is a more efficient type of uterine contraction and rapid dilatation of the cervix. With this accomplished, the foetal wastage and the maternal morbidity in these difficult and trying labours is materially reduced.

We are indebted to our colleagues, Drs. A. C. Blair, J. A. McNab and J. W. Dennis for their advice and material contributions in the preparation of this series. We wish to acknowledge the support and cooperation of the obstetricians of the Vancouver Grace Hospital and the Burnaby General Hospital. We are grateful to Sandoz Pharmaceuticals for their generous supply of Hydergine.

Note:

Presented at the Annual Meeting, Canadian Anaesthetists' Society, June 14, 1954.