Background: Around the world, one woman every minute dies as a result of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) and it remains the single major cause of maternal mortality and morbidity. The early identification of risk factors and effective prevention and management of PPH are critical to minimize the impact of PPH. Carbetocin, a new drug for the prevention of uterine atony, is a synthetic analogue of oxytocin with a half-life of up to 4 to 10 times longer than that of oxytocin. In comparison with oxytocin, it is used as a single-dose injection instead of an infusion and can be given intravenously or intramuscularly.
Objective: To evaluate the effect of carbetocin in preventing postpartum hemorrhage after vaginal delivery in comparison with combined oxytocin and methergine.
Patients and methods: This study was conducted at Al-Galaa Maternity Hospital during the period from 1 June to 1 December 2020. The study included 100 candidates between 37 to 40 weeks with a risk factor to develop PPH divided randomly into two equal groups: Group A received a single 100 mg IM dose of carbetocin (Pabal^®) and Group B received 5 IU IM oxytocin (Syntocinon^®) combined with 1 mL, 0.2 mg IM methylergonovine maleate (Methergine^®).
Results: Carbetocin was more effective, with significant difference, in reducing the time of 3rd stage of labor, reducing amount of blood loss and drop of both HB% and hematocrit levels with significant decreased incidence of side effects.
Conclusion: A single 100 mg IM dose of carbetocin (Pabal^®) may be more effective as compared to 5 IU IM oxytocin (Syntocinon^®) combined with 1 mL, 0.2 mg IM methylergonovine maleate (Methergine^®) in reducing postpartum blood loss with a smaller drop in hemoglobin levels.