Uterine Electrical Activity Before and After Progesterone Treatment for Preterm Labor



Status:Recruiting
Conditions:Women's Studies
Therapuetic Areas:Reproductive
Healthy:No
Age Range:17 - 40
Updated:4/21/2016
Start Date:July 2011
End Date:August 2016
Contact:James Balducci, MD
Email:James.Balducci@dignityhealth.org
Phone:602-406-3691

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Uterine Abdominal Electromyography Measurements Before and After Progesterone Treatments for Preterm Labor

This study will examine the effects of various formulations of progesterone on uterine
electromyographic (EMG) activity in pregnant patients in premature labor to determine if
progesterone will suppress uterine electrical activity and which formulation may be best for
inhibition of uterine activity. Patients will be monitored prior to treatment and following
treatment (every 2 to 4 hours) with one of three different formulations of progesterone for
up to two days. Patients will continue to be observed until they deliver. Comparisons will
be for uterine EMG activity from before treatment to that following treatments at 2, 4, 8,
12 24 and 48 hours and times of delivery after treatments (hours or days following
treatments). Comparisons between mean values for EMG activity between the various treatments
at the various times will also be made.

In this study the investigators will compare the effects of vaginal progesterone,
intramuscular applied progesterone and topical progesterone on uterine electromyographic
activity (EMG)in patients in preterm labor. Electrodes will be placed on the abdominal
surface of pregnant patients in preterm labor and the EMG activity recorded for 30 minutes
before and following treatments for up to 48 hours. In addition data on delivery times will
be recorded when patients delivery vaginally or by Cesarian section. Eligibility criteria:
Healthy patients without infection or rupture of membranes with gestational ages between 24
to 34 weeks. Outcome measures: Comparisons of uterine EMG activity (EMG amplitude,
frequency, and specific information on EMG bursts) from measurements before treatment to
following treatments with progesterone preparations at various times (at 2,4,8, 12,24 and to
48 hours following treatment) and delivery times of patients on various treatments (hours or
days following treatments, average delivery times in patients treated by various
formulations). Comparisons of mean values in uterine EMG activity (EMG amplitude, burst
frequency and frequency of signals in a burst, power spectrum analysis of the bursts and
peak power density spectrum of bursts) from before treatment to following treatments at 2 to
24 hours will be compared. Also the time of delivery following treatments will be obtained
and the average time of delivery following the various treatments compared.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Healthy patients in preterm labor between 24 to 34 weeks of gestation presenting to
St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center.

- Preterm labor is defined as at least 6 contractions in 60 minutes with a cervix
either dilated to 2 centimeters or effaced to 80% and a cervical length measured by
ultrasound of less than 3 centimeters, and a positive fetal fibronectin.

- Maternal ages will be within 17 to 40 year-old range.

Exclusion Criteria:

- Patients with preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) will be excluded from
the study, due to possibility of ascending infection, as will those patients with
suspected chorioamnionitis.

- Patients with medical conditions that contraindicate tocolysis, such as
non-reassuring fetal heart tracings, will also be excluded.
We found this trial at
1
site
350 W Thomas Rd
Phoenix, Arizona 85013
(602) 406-3000
Principal Investigator: James Balducci, MD
Phone: 602-406-3691
St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center St. Joseph's is a nationally recognized center for quality...
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