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Article Type

Original Study

Abstract

Objective The aim of the paper was to study the effect of phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitor, sildenafil citrate (SC), on uteroplacental perfusion. Background Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is the second common cause of perinatal morbidity. It is related to an increased risk of perinatal complication such as hypoxemia, low Apgar scores, and cord blood acidemia, with possible negative effects for neonatal outcome. Materials and methods The study was a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. A total of 54 pregnant women whose pregnancy was complicated with FGR were divided into two groups. The first group received single dose of SC and the other received placebo. Doppler indices of umbilical, middle cerebral, uterine arteries were taken before and 2 h after medication administration. Results A total of 54 women yielded data for analysis. Of these, 27 women received SC and 27 received placebo. There was significant improvement of fetal Doppler indices by 66.7% among the SC group (P = 0.001) and insignificant changes in fetal Doppler indices among the placebo group (P = 0.06). Conclusion Doppler velocimetry index values reflect decreased placental bed vascular resistance after sildenafil administration. SC can improve fetoplacental perfusion in pregnancies complicated by intrauterine growth restriction. It could be a potential therapeutic strategy to improve uteroplacental blood flow in pregnancies with FGR.

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