Oxytocin at Elective Cesarean Deliveries: A Dose-finding Study in Women With BMI ≥ 40kg/m2

• Status: Completed
• Trial end date: 2020-02-04
• Target enrollment: 0
• Participant gender: Female

Summary

Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) due to uterine atony is a major cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. Uterotonic drugs are used to improve the muscle tone of the uterus after birth, and these are effective at reducing the incidence of PPH. Oxytocin is the most commonly used uterotonic drug to prevent and treat PPH. Large doses of this drug are asociated with adverse effects like low blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, abnormal heart rhythms and changes on ECG. Various international bodies recommend varying and high doses of oxytocin in elective cesarean sections. A study performed at Mount Sinai Hospital showed that a much smaller dose of oxytocin is required (ED95 being 0.35IU). However, most of the women included in this study were below a body mass index (BMI) of 40kg/m2.

The investigators seek to find the best dose for patients with a BMI>40kg/m2, as a higher dose may be needed in this population to contract the uterus adequately.

• Phase: N/A
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers?: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Details

• Lead Sponsor: Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital
• Treatments: Oxytocin

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• BMI ≥40kg/m2

• Elective cesarean delivery under regional anesthesia

• Gestational age ≥ 37 weeks

• No known additional risk factors for postpartum hemorrhage

• Written informed consent to participate in this study

Exclusion Criteria:

• Refusal to give written informed consent

• Allergy or hypersensitivity to oxytocin

• Conditions (other than high BMI) that may predispose to uterine atony and postpartum hemorrhage such as placenta previa, multiple gestation, severe preeclampsia (as defined by SOGC guidelines (21)), eclampsia, polyhydramnios, uterine fibroids, previous history of uterine atony resulting in PPH, or bleeding diathesis.

• Hepatic, renal, and vascular disease

• Use of general anesthesia prior to the administration of the study drug