The Adverse Effects of Carbetocin Administration in the Third Stage of Labor

Abstract

Introduction: The pharmacologic agents currently used routinely to prevent postpartum hemorrhage are mainly oxytocin, syntometrine (a combination of oxytocin and ergometrine), and carbetocin. Syntometrine is associated with a statistically significant reduction in the risk of postpartum hemorrhage when compared with oxytocin alone. So, this study aimed to assess the adverse effects of carbetocin administration in the third stage of labor. This study aimed to analyze the adverse effects of carbetocin administration in the third stage of labor. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh. The study period was from May 2016 to October 2016. 100 women undergoing normal vaginal delivery were the study subject. A convenient sampling technique was used in this study. Necessary data was collected in the data collection sheet. Women received a bolus of 100 microgram carbetocin IV at delivery of the anterior shoulder. A standardized deliver mat (Quaiyum's mat) was used before placental removal for measuring blood loss. Statistical analysis was carried out by using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 19.0 for Windows (SPSS Inc., Chicago, Illinois, USA). The mean values were calculated by frequencies and percentages. Result: In this study, the majority (54, 54.0%) of patients belonged to age 20-25 years, followed by (30, 30.0%) >25 years. It was observed that the majority 93(93.0%) patients had regular menstrual history. Concerning the clinical indices, anaemia was found 69(69.0%), jaundice 08(8.0%) and edema 24(24.0%). Additional uterotonices was used in 15(15.0%) and blood transfusion 07(7.0%) patients. Mean blood loss before the use of the weight of Q-mat was found 74.81±1.23 gram, mean blood loss after the use of the weight of Q-mat was 246.28±99.98 gram, and mean net blood loss was 141.61±59.93 gram. Majority 61(61.0%) babies had birth weight ≥2.5 kg. Majority 68(68.0%) patients had Hb% <10.5. The mean Hb% before delivery was 10.3±0.47 gm/dl with a range from 9.40 to 11.20 gm/dl The mean birth weight was found 2.57±0.41 kg with a range from 2.3 to 3.10 kg. Conclusion: Carbetocin appears to be an effective new drug in the active management of third-stage labor. Carbetocin has associated with a lower risk of various adverse effects and preventing postpartum hemorrhage in women undergoing vaginal delivery.