Phase 4 Study of Oxytocin Used During Cesarean Section

All healthy term participants scheduled to undergo elective caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, Uppsala Sweden and who were > 18 years old, were candidates for inclusion in the study. .

The study was approved by the regional ethics committee and informed written consent was obtained from each participant.

ECGs were recorded by continuous ambulatory ECG (Holter) monitoring (GE Medical systems SEER/MARS, UK) during the peroperative period utilizing leads V3, V5 and avF. As secondary outcomes, symptoms as chest pain, shortness of breath and feeling of heaviness on the chest and, Troponin I levels 12 hours postoperatively, were recorded. Also, as secondary outcomes, differences in blood pressure, heart rate, and blood loss were measured.

Before induction of anaesthesia, patients received 1000 mL of lactated Ringer's solution intravenously. Thereafter an additional 500-1000 mL of lactated Ringer's solution or 500 mL Hydroxyethyl starch was infused if considered needed by the anaesthesiologist.

Spinal anaesthesia was established in the sitting position at lumbal interspace L2/L3 or L3/L4. Non invasive blood pressure (systolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressure, MAP) and heart rate was monitored every 2 minutes, throughout surgery. Oxytocin was given as an intravenous bolus dose immediately after clamping of the umbilical cord. Blood loss during the operation was estimated and recorded. During surgery, any spontaneous complaints by the patients of symptoms as chest pain, shortness of breath and feeling of heaviness on the chest, was recorded as well as duration of symptoms. Episodes of chest pain were assessed with the visual analogue scale (VAS).