Calcium channel blockers are generally considered safe for use during pregnancy. They have several indications, including second-line therapy for lowering blood pressure and tocolytic therapy. We present the case of a 24-year-old woman, G1P0, with a twin gestation at 22 weeks, who presented with acute respiratory distress. Her symptoms occurred shortly after starting nifedipine as tocolytic therapy. Investigations revealed signs of volume overload and pulmonary edema. Extensive cardiac and infectious workups were normal. Obstetrical ultrasound did not show any signs of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Based on these findings, she was diagnosed with acute pulmonary edema following tocolytic therapy with oral nifedipine. Nifedipine was stopped, and intravenous furosemide was started, resulting in rapid clinical improvement. We are reporting this case to raise awareness of this rare but life-threatening adverse event associated with nifedipine use in pregnant patients.
Keyphrases
- pulmonary hypertension
- blood pressure
- liver failure
- end stage renal disease
- respiratory failure
- magnetic resonance imaging
- stem cells
- drug induced
- left ventricular
- chronic kidney disease
- pregnant women
- metabolic syndrome
- preterm infants
- computed tomography
- depressive symptoms
- emergency department
- peritoneal dialysis
- hepatitis b virus
- aortic dissection
- mesenchymal stem cells
- insulin resistance
- skeletal muscle
- ultrasound guided
- sleep quality
- blood glucose
- mechanical ventilation