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Clinical Application of the Oxytocin Challenge Test

From the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas 78234

Abstract

Eighty-eight oxytocin challenge tests (OCT) were performed on 58 patients. All except 18 "normal" controls had pregnancies complicated by hypertension, diabetes mellitus, suspected poslinalurity, or suspected intrautcrinc growth retardation. Tests satisfactory for interpretation were obtained from all but 1 patient. Eight patients displayed late deceleration fetal heart patterns during oxytocin-induced contractions (positive OCT); all subsequently had labors characterized by similar fetal heart patterns. No patient with a negative OCT had a labor characterized by fetal distress, and no intrauterine deaths occurred within 1 week after a negative OCT. The OCT was useful in the clinical management of patients considered likely to have placental insufficiency.