Open AccessPreventing the recurrence of atonic postpartum hemorrhage: a double‐blind trial
Author(s) -
Selm Maria,
Kanhai Humphrey H.H.,
Keirse Marc J.N.C.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
acta obstetricia et gynecologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1600-0412
pISSN - 0001-6349
DOI - 10.3109/00016349509024448
Subject(s) - medicine , ergometrine , oxytocin , placebo , regimen , anesthesia , randomized controlled trial , retained placenta , clinical trial , obstetrics , adverse effect , pregnancy , surgery , placenta , fetus , alternative medicine , pathology , biology , genetics
Background. We conducted a double‐blind randomized controlled trial to compare a conventional regimen of oxytocin and ergometrine with administration of the prostaglandin E 2 analogue, sulprostone, for prophylaxis of postpartum hemorrhage in high‐risk women. Methods. Women with a history of postpartum hemorrhage ≥1000 were assigned to two coded prophylactic regimens. Drugs, given respectively at delivery of the anterior shoulder and after delivery of the placenta, were oxytocin and ergometrine in the control group, and sulprostone and placebo in the experimental group. Eighty‐one women, 69 of whom actually participated in the trial, were investigated. Both the women and the caregivers were unaware of treatment allocation. Results. Although the trial was terminated prematurely there was a slight, but not statistically significant, preference for the sulprostone regimen in terms of blood loss and use of blood transfusion. No serious adverse effects were noted with either of the two regimens. Conclusion. Prostaglandins may be more effective for preventing recurrence of severe postpartum hemorrhage than the oxytocin and ergometrine combination, but they do not eliminate the risk entirely.