Convenient use of carbetocin during 70 elective cae- sarean deliveries [Praticità d'uso della carbetocina durante 70 tagli cesarei elettivi]

Objective. To analyze the efficacy of a potent analogue of oxytocin during elective caesarean delivery. Study design. This clinical-pharmacologic case-control study was conducted prospectively in 70 pregnant women scheduled for c-section, 60 patients with a singleton pregnancy and ten with a twin pregnancy. We compared our standard uterotonic protocol (oxytocin plus ergometrine) versus a single intravenous bolus injection of 100 μg of carbetocin, administered immediately after foetal delivery in controlling perioperative blood loss. Results. The patients (30 with 1-2 previous CS, 10 with twin pregnancy and 30 with other indications for elective CS) were similar about their epidemiologic characteristics. Mean blood loss with carbetocin was 523 mL compared to 483 mL with oxytocin plus ergometrine (n.s.). The economic costs were higher in cases compared to controls (nearly 30 versus 8,5-11,5 euros). Conclusions. Carbetocin is a valid alternative to traditional uterotonic treatment with similar efficacy but easier to handle. In terms of handly and nursing the ratio cost/benefit is undoubtedly in favour of carbetocin