gemeprost and Heart-Arrest

The use of gemeprost vaginal pessaries is generally thought to be a method with little complications used for cervical softening within the first two trimesters of pregnancy. Though in our hospital two cases presented with severe cardiovascular reactions, to be attributed to the effect of prostaglandins. The first patient experienced a severe cardiogenic shock due to vasospasm several hours after primary administration of gemeprost vaginal pessaries and a cerebral stroke some hours later. The second patient suffered of a myocardial infarction ensuing from coronary spasm.

Topics: Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal; Abortion, Induced; Adult; Alprostadil; Coronary Vasospasm; Female; Heart Arrest; Humans; Myocardial Infarction; Pregnancy; Prostaglandins E, Synthetic; Shock, Cardiogenic; Stroke; Treatment Outcome