Carbetocin versus oxytocin for prevention of postpartum hemorrhage in infertile women with twin pregnancy undergoing elective cesarean delivery.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the efficacy and safety of carbetocin with those of oxytocin infusion in women with twin pregnancy undergoing elective cesarean delivery.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The present observational study conducted from January to December 2014 at a single center in Taiwan enrolled 64 women with twin pregnancy induced using in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer. The women were divided into a carbetocin group who received a single injection of 100 μg carbetocin (n = 25) and a control group who received a continuous intravenous infusion of 10 IU oxytocin in 500 mL 0.9% NaCl solution (125 mL/h) for 24 h (n = 39). Operative outcomes were compared between the groups.

RESULTS

The mean estimated blood loss during surgery was lower in the carbetocin group compared with the control group (871 ± 305 and 922.8 ± 430 mL, respectively), but the difference was not significant (P = 0.06). There was also no significant difference in the drop in hemoglobin level between two groups. The mean operative time was significantly shorter in the carbetocin group compared with the control group (P = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Carbetocin is as effective as oxytocin in preventing primary postpartum hemorrhage in infertile women with twin pregnancy undergoing elective cesarean delivery.