Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the ex vivo human placental transfer of
trovafloxacin from the maternal circulation to the fetal circulation.Methods: Six placentas from uncomplicated, term, vaginal or cesarean deliveries were studied
using the ex vivo isolated cotyledon perfusion chamber; C14-antipyrine was used as a reference
compound to determine the clearance index (CI) of trovafloxacin.Results: The CI of trovafloxacin was 0.19 ± 0.13 at a mean trough concentration of 1.38 ± 0.22
μg/ml and 0.16 ± 0.10 at a mean peak concentration of 7.48 ± 2.3 μg/ml as determined by our newly
developed high-pressure liquid chromatographic assay. Tissue concentration did not exceed maternal
concentration, and there was little or no accumulation when the perfusion system was closed for
1 hr.Conclusions: Trovafloxacin crosses the placenta by simple diffusion and does not accumulate in
the media to any extent, nor does it bind to tissue or accumulate in the placenta. Infect. Dis. Obstet.
Gynecol. 8:228–229, 2000.
