It has been suggested that Viagra (or other drugs that inhibit PDE-5, the enzyme that
normally inhibits blood vessels' ability to expand) may have beneficial effects in
hypertensive pregnancy and, possibly, preeclampsia.The benefits of Viagra were observed
without any reduction in maternal blood pressure, thereby dissociating hypertension per se
from the loss of NO (nitrous oxide) signaling in the uterine circulation.Following
publications, suggesting that sildenafil citrate used as a therapeutic agent may improve
myometrial perfusion in IUGR gestations by promoting myometrial small artery vasodilatation,
decreasing peripheral resistance and increasing flow within the uteroplacental bed, we intend
to administer this medication to parturients where intauterine growth restriction and
pregnancy associated hypertension have been diagnosed in an attempt to induce vasodilatation
and improved uteroplacental perfusion resulting in improved fetal growth.