Comparison of Carbetocin and Oxytocin Efficacy in Preventing Postpartum Hemorrhage after C-Section

Abstract

Introduction: Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is defined as a blood loss of more than 0.5 liters within 24 hours of birth, and a blood loss of more than 1 liter is considered a significant PPH. In low- and middle-income countries, PPH is a major factor causing maternal morbidity and mortality, whereas in high-income countries, the mortality is comparatively lower, but still PPH poses a major risk for postpregnancy complications. Uterine atony is the most frequent cause of the PPH, and it accounts for up to 80% of PPH cases. Aim: The aim of this study is to examine the prophylactic effects of oxytocin and carbetocin in preventing atonic PPH in individuals receiving recurrent elective CS under spinal anesthesia. Materials and Methods: A computerized, randomized, cross-sectional prospective comparative study was conducted on 100 pregnant women at Konaseema Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Foundation for the time period of an year, from October 2020 to October 2021. Inclusion Criteria: This study includes patients with singleton pregnancy, gestational age >38 weeks, spinal anesthesia and repeated C.S with cephalic, breech, or any malpresentations. Exclusion Criteria: Patients with placenta previa and placental abruption, uterine myomata, congenital uterine anomalies, gestational age before 38 weeks, women having emergency cesarean section for fetal or maternal distress, and patients with hepatic or pre-existing bleeding disorder were excluded from the study. The patients included based on the above criteria were split into two equal groups. Group I received carbetocin as a single dose of 100 microgram slow intravenous, and Group II received oxytocin as 5 IU intravenous drip followed by 20 IU of oxytocin infusion on 500 ml saline or lactated ringer with a rate of 150 ml per hour. Results: When compared to the oxytocin group, the blood loss was considerably reduced in the carbetocin group. The levels of Hb and hematocrit [HCT] were evaluated pre- and postoperative in both the groups. The levels of preoperative Hb and HCT showed nonsignificant difference between the two groups, while the levels of postoperative Hb and HCT were significantly higher in carbetocin group than oxytocin group concluding that carbetocin showed the better results in controlling the blood loss and maintaining the levels of Hb and HCT volume and the carbetocin group showed less need for administration of uterotonic agents (20%) in comparison with (32%) in oxytocin group but with no statistically significant difference. Only 8 (16%) patients showed PPH in carbetocin treatment, whereas 14 (28%) showed PPH in patients on oxytocin treatment.

Keywords

• carbetocin
• oxytocin
• postpartum hemorrhage