Pulmonary oedema after the administration of intravenous salbutamol and ergometrine. Case report.

A patient in premature labour was treated with an intravenous salbutamol infusion for 56 hours before delivery by Caesarean section. Ergometrine was given 45 minutes after the salbutamol infusion was stopped and the patient developed pulmonary oedema postoperatively. We disucss the pharmacological implications of the interaction between these drugs and their effect on the sympathetic system.