Post-partum hemorrhage (PPH) is a major cause of maternal death worldwide. Oxytocin is the
most common uterotonic drug used to prevent and treat PPH in North America, however, there
are some limitations to its use. Oxytocin has a very short duration of action, which requires
a continuous infusion to achieve sustained uterotonic activity. The Society of Obstetricians
and Gynecologists of Canada (SOGC) has recently recommended a single 100mcg dose of
carbetocin at elective Cesarean delivery to promote uterine contraction and prevent post
partum hemorrhage (PPH), in lieu of the more traditional oxytocin regimens. Carbetocin lasts
4 to 7 times longer than oxytocin, with a similar side effect profile and apparent greater
efficacy rate. However, a dose response study to determine the minimum effective dose of
carbetocin has not yet been published. The investigators hypothesize that the minimum
effective dose (ED90) is at least 20mcgs (or perhaps below) in women undergoing elective
Cesarean delivery.
Phase:
N/A
Details
Lead Sponsor:
Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital