Preventing the recurrence of atonic postpartum hemorrhage: a double-blind trial.
BACKGROUND
We conducted a double-blind randomized controlled trial to compare a conventional regimen of oxytocin and ergometrine with administration of the prostaglandin E2 analogue, sulprostone, for prophylaxis of postpartum hemorrhage in high-risk women.


METHODS
Women with a history of postpartum hemorrhage > or = 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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Van Selm
M
M
Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology, and Reproduction, Leiden University Hospital, The Netherlands.
Kanhai
H H
HH
Keirse
M J
MJ
D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004874:Ergonovine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009129:Muscle Tonus; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006473:Postpartum Hemorrhage / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal; D010121:Oxytocin; C016767:sulprostone; D015232:Dinoprostone; D004874:Ergonovine