The effect of magnesium sulfate on bleeding time and the mean arterial pressure in pregnant patients.

The study aimed to determine the effect of magnesium sulfate used in the treatment of some complications of pregnancy on the bleeding time and mean arterial pressure in pregnant patients. The study group of patients included 50 patients who required the use of magnesium sulfate during their course of treatment in pregnancy. In 25 of them the use of magnesium sulfate was due to the presence of external cephalic version and preterm delivery. The other 25 were having gestational hypertension. Blood cell count platelet count serum magnesium sulfate level bleeding time and the mean arterial pressure were obtained before starting the therapeutic dose of magnesium sulfate and 2 hours after. Magnesium sulfate infusion began with 6 g as intravenous bolus followed by 2 g/hour by intravenous infusion. Bleeding time was measured with a lances device. These patients were recruited from inpatients of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the Faculty of Medicine El Minia University over a period of 1 year. Data were analyzed using the Chi-square test and the P value. 25 patients received magnesium sulfate for management of gestational hypertension 10 for prevention of preterm labor and 15 for performing external cephalic version. No significant difference was found between normotensive and hypertensive group regarding maternal age gestational age initial bleeding time or platelet count. Analysis of the entire group revealed the presence of significant prolongation of the bleeding time after the use of magnesium sulfate (P < 0.001). There was a significant lowering of the mean arterial pressure after the use of magnesium sulfate (P < 0.05). Also there was a significant rise of the level of serum magnesium sulfate. (P < 0.05). Magnesium sulfate appears to prolong the bleeding time in pregnant patients and can lower the mean arterial pressure. Thus care should be taken in doing any operative maneuver during the use of magnesium sulfate as a line of treatment in pregnant patients especially hypertensive ones. (authors modified)