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:
Participant gender:
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
Details
Lead Sponsor:
Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital