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The Efficacy of Tranexamic Acid in Preventing Postpartum Haemorrhage After Caesarean Section

Phase 3
Completed
Conditions
Postpartum Hemorrhage
Interventions
Other: Normal saline placebo
Registration Number
NCT04733157
Lead Sponsor
University of Zimbabwe
Brief Summary

This study seeks to determine if the using tranexamic acid prophylactically at caesarean section will prevent postpartum haemorrhage which is a major cause of maternal mortality in Zimbabwe and globally.

Detailed Description

This trial will be an placebo-controlled, two-centre, randomized control trial with two parallel groups including 1,162 women who undergo elective or emergency caesarean deliveries at term. The study group will receive tranexamic acid (TXA) 1g intravenously at the onset of skin incision. There is normal saline placebo for the control group. The study and control groups will both receive the standard care offered at caesarean section including 5 IU of oxytocin intravenously on delivery of the baby. .

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
1226
Inclusion Criteria

Women undergoing elective or emergency caesarean section with:

  • Estimated gestational age of 37 weeks or more
  • Live intrauterine foetus
  • Elective or emergency caesarean delivery
  • Signed informed consent
Exclusion Criteria
  • History of coagulopathies or conditions predisposing them to thromboembolic phenomena,
  • seizure history,
  • autoimmune disease,
  • placental abruption,
  • placenta praevia,
  • abnormally adherent placentae if identified on prenatal ultrasound,
  • eclampsia or HELLP syndrome,
  • known hypersensitivity to TXA,
  • planned general anaesthesia,
  • caesarean delivery for the second twin or second/third triplet(s) after vaginal birth of the first twin,
  • poor understanding of English/Shona languages,
  • those who have received anticoagulants in the week before delivery
  • persons-under-investigation for Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and confirmed COVID-19 positive women

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Control group/Group BNormal saline placeboThere is an equivalent volume of normal saline for the control group.
Study group/Group ATranexamic acid injectionThe study group will receive TXA 1g intravenously at the onset of skin incision.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Number of Participants With Postpartum Hemorrhage (PPH)Up to day 2 postpartum

Calculated estimated blood loss exceeding 1000ml. Estimated Blood Loss (EBL) was calculated using laboratory values of hemoglobin levels before and after procedure. Postpartum hemorrhage is defined as blood loss exceeding 1000mL after cesarean section.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Mean Blood Loss as Estimated by Obstetrician2 hours

Visually estimated blood loss at time of caesarean section. Attending obstetrician gave an estimated value of blood loss after delivery.

Occurrence of Postpartum ShockUp to day 2 postpartum

Number of participants who had hypovolemic shock related to PPH as determined by assessing BP and pulse.

Use of Supplementary Uterotonic(s)Up to day 2 postpartum

Number of women requiring supplementary uterotonics

Number of Severe Adverse EventsUp to day 3 postpartum

* Deep vein thrombosis (if the diagnosis is confirmed by Doppler ultrasound)

* Pulmonary embolism (if the diagnosis is confirmed by radiological examination)

* Myocardial infarction

* Seizure

* Renal failure requiring dialysis

Number of Participants With a Decrease in Peripartum HemoglobinUp to day 2 postpartum

Number of participants with a drop in hemoglobin more than 2g/dL or less than 2g/dL

Blood Pressure MeasurementsUp to 2 hours after the caesarean section

Blood pressure at 15, 30, 45, 60, and 120 min after delivery

Blood Loss Using Hemoglobin ValuesUp to day 2 postpartum

Calculated blood loss using hemoglobin values. A mean value of blood loss calculated using hemoglobin values

Postpartum TransfusionUp to day 2 postpartum

Number of women given postpartum transfusion

Emergency Surgery for PPHUp to day 2 postpartum

Number of participants who had emergency surgery for PPH including caesarean hysterectomies

Change in Peripartum HaematocritUp to day 2 postpartum

Mean change in haematocrit percentage between the study groups from baseline to day 2 postpartum

Change in Peripartum HaemoglobinUp to day 2 postpartum

Mean change in haemoglobin concentration between the study group, calculated hemoglobin values at day 2 postpartum minus baseline hemoglobin values.

Admission Into Intensive Care UnitUp to day 2 postpartum

Number of participants transferred to intensive care unit

Death From Any CauseUp to date of death or day 4 from admission

Number of participants who died from any cause

Number of Mild Adverse EventsUp to 24 hours after administration

Number of mild events of nausea, vomiting, sensation of rings or spots of light in the visual field, dizziness

Any Other Unexpected Adverse EventUp to day 3 postpartum

Number of unexpected events during and after the adminstration of study drug and duration of observation

Length of Hospital StayUp to day 3 postpartum

Duration of hospital admission in days

Trial Locations

Locations (2)

Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals (Mbuya Nehanda Maternity Hospital)

🇿🇼

Harare, Zimbabwe

Sally Mugabe Central Hospital Maternity Unit

🇿🇼

Harare, Zimbabwe

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