The Clinical Carbetocin Myocardium Trial Part 2

Background -Treatment Caesarean delivery is a commonly performed surgical procedure. Uterus contraction after delivery of the baby is necessary to avoid excessive bleeding.

Background - Therapeutic Information Adequate uterus contraction after delivery of the baby is necessary to avoid excessive bleeding. Prophylactic administration of an oxytocin receptor agonist is first line practice. Intravenous injection of oxytocin has been the standard procedure but serious cardiovascular adverse events have been reported. Lowering the dose or administering the drug as a 5 minute infusion may increase safety. Carbetocin, a synthetic oxytocin receptor agonist, has significantly longer half life and may reduce blood loss compared with oxytocin. The hemodynamic vasodilatory effects are comparable to oxytocin, but potential differences in adverse effects on myocardium are not well described yet.

Pre-Clinical & Clinical Experience with Carbetocin (IMP) and Oxytocin Carbetocin has been in clinical use in EU for some years and the efficacy is documented in several RCTs. In the proposed study, carbetocin will be used within the conditions of the marketing authorization. Oxytocin is the first line treatment and prophylaxis in Norway and most countries in the world. According to recently published guidelines from EU drug authorities (EMA), oxytocin should be given as a slow, 5-minute infusion in order to avoid hypotension. This has so far not been implemented in Norway. The pre-clinical and clinical experience of the two drugs are summarized in the Summaries of Product Characteristics.

Rationale for the Study Pregnancy and delivery is a natural process, but for many women this period is stressful and not without risks of morbidity, and even mortality. Circulatory adverse events leading to death has been reported after intravenous injection of oxytocin. Some studies indicate that oxytocin may lead to dose dependent ischemic ECG changes, prolongation of QT time and liberation of biomarkers of myocardial cell death. Previously the investigators have demonstrated comparable vasodilatory effects of oxytocin and carbetocin. There is no clinical study comparing the specific myocardial effects of oxytocin with carbetocin. It may have great impact on the choice of standard medication if the cardiotoxicity of carbetocin is lower compared with oxytocin. The study of potential cardiotoxicity has to be performed in healthy women. Knowing that millions of laboring women have had uneventful injections of oxytocin and carbetocin after delivery, there is probably no reason to fear long lasting negative effects of either drug. If there are differences in cardiotoxicity, this new information should be taken into consideration when planning delivery in pregnant women with heart disease.

STUDY OBJECTIVES The aims of this study are to compare 0h (before C-section) plasma concentrations of Troponin I (high sensitive methods) with a second measurement of plasma concentration of Troponin I drawn within an interval of 6 to 10 hours after administration of study drug, in elective healthy C-section patients randomized to oxytocin 2.5 U or carbetocin 100 µg, 1 minute injection immediately after delivery.