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Carbetocin at Elective Cesarean Deliveries: A Dose-finding Study in Women With Twin Pregnancy.

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Postpartum Hemorrhage
Twin
Interventions
Registration Number
NCT04182360
Lead Sponsor
Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital
Brief Summary

Poor uterine tone after the birth of a baby can cause excess bleeding (called postpartum hemorrhage or PPH). This is a major cause of maternal death worldwide. Uterotonic drugs are used to improve the muscle tone of the uterus after birth, and these are effective at reducing the incidence of PPH. The Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada (SOGC) has recommended a single dose of 100 mcg of carbetocin at elective cesarean delivery to promote uterine contraction. In a study performed at Mount Sinai Hospital, the investigators have shown that smaller doses of carbetocin (14.8 mcg) are effective in achieving adequate uterine tone at elective cesarean section.

In these dose-finding studies, women with multiple pregnancies have been excluded. Because women with multiple pregnancy have a higher risk of severe PPH, uterine atony, hysterectomy, prolonged hospital stay and death, it is plausible that a higher dose of carbetocin is required. This question remains unanswered.

The hypothesis is that the ED90 of carbetocin in women with twin pregnancy undergoing elective cesarean delivery under regional anesthesia is greater than 20 mcg but less than 100 mcg.

Detailed Description

There is a lack of consensus as to what the optimal uterotonic regime is globally. Furthermore, variability in the international guidelines regarding the choice of first line uterotonic in prevention of PPH adds to the confusion. With the widespread availability of carbetocin in some developed countries, including Canada, the question of which uterotonic to adopt and at which dose becomes even more difficult to ascertain. Studies that have currently been published suggest the ED90 doses of carbetocin and oxytocin provide adequate uterine contraction with possibly fewer side effects associated with the lower dose regimens. There is evidence to suggest that lower doses of both carbetocin provide equivalent uterine contractions with a better side effect profile in patients with a singleton pregnancy. However, there is no clinical dosing data specifically for patients with twin pregnancy. The results of our study will provide guidance to obstetric and anesthetic providers worldwide when deciding what dose of carbetocin to use in women with twin pregnancy.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
30
Inclusion Criteria
  • Twin Pregnancy
  • Elective cesarean delivery under regional anesthesia
  • Gestational age ≥ 36 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 that may predispose to uterine atony and postpartum hemorrhage such as placenta previa, severe preeclampsia (as defined by SOGC guidelines (25)), polyhydramnios, uterine fibroids, previous history of uterine atony resulting in PPH, or bleeding diathesis and obesity, defined as pre-pregnancy BMI >40
  • Hepatic, renal, and vascular disease
  • Use of general anesthesia prior to the administration of the study drug

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Carbetocin 10mcgCarbetocinPatient is given 10mcg of carbetocin intravenously over 1 minute, immediately upon delivery of the fetal head.
Carbetocin 20mcgCarbetocinPatient is given 20mcg of carbetocin intravenously over 1 minute, immediately upon delivery of the fetal head.
Carbetocin 60mcgCarbetocinPatient is given 60mcg of carbetocin intravenously over 1 minute, immediately upon delivery of the fetal head.
Carbetocin 40mcgCarbetocinPatient is given 40mcg of carbetocin intravenously over 1 minute, immediately upon delivery of the fetal head.
Carbetocin 80mcgCarbetocinPatient is given 80mcg of carbetocin intravenously over 1 minute, immediately upon delivery of the fetal head.
Carbetocin 100mcgCarbetocinPatient is given 100mcg of carbetocin intravenously over 1 minute, immediately upon delivery of the fetal head.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Uterine tone 2 minutes: questionnaire2 minutes

Uterine tone, defined as satisfactory or unsatisfactory by the obstetrician at 2 minutes after completion of the carbetocin injection.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Presence of flushing: questionnaire2 hours

Any presence of flushing, from drug administration until end of surgery

Presence of ventricular tachycardia: ECG2 hours

Presence of ventricular tachycardia as recorded by ECG, from drug administration until end of surgery

Presence of atrial flutter: ECG2 hours

Presence of atrial flutter as recorded by ECG, from drug administration until end of surgery

Presence of vomiting: questionnaire2 hours

The presence of vomiting and number of episodes, from drug administration until end of surgery

Estimated blood loss24 hours

Blood loss will be calculated through the difference in hematocrit values assessed prior to surgery and 24 hours after the cesarean delivery.

Presence of shortness of breath: questionnaire2 hours

Any presence of shortness of breath, from drug administration until end of surgery, as reported by the patient

Additional uterotonics administered1 hour

The drug, dosage and timing of any additional uterotonic medication given during surgery.

Intravenous fluid administered during surgery2 hours

The total volume (ml) of fluid administered from entering the operating room to skin closure.

Presence of atrial fibrillation: ECG2 hours

Presence of atrial fibrillation as recorded by ECG, from drug administration until end of surgery

Presence of nausea: questionnaire2 hours

The presence of nausea and number of episodes, from drug administration until end of surgery, as reported by the patient

Presence of chest pain: questionnaire2 hours

Any presence of chest pain, from drug administration until end of surgery, as reported by the patient

Uterine tone 5 minutes: questionnaire5 minutes

Uterine tone, defined as satisfactory or unsatisfactory by the obstetrician at 5 minutes after completion of the carbetocin injection.

Tachycardia: heart rate greater than 130% of baseline2 hours

Heart rate \> 130% of baseline, from drug administration until end of surgery

Bradycardia: heart rate less than 70% of baseline2 hours

Heart rate \< 70% of baseline or a heart rate \< 50bpm, from drug administration until end of surgery

Hypotension: systolic blood pressure less than 80% of baseline2 hours

Systolic blood pressure \< 80% of baseline, from drug administration until end of surgery

Presence of headache: questionnaire2 hours

Any presence of headache, from drug administration until end of surgery, as reported by the patient

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Mount Sinai Hospital

🇨🇦

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

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