OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the comparative efficacy of two of the most commonly used second-line uterotonics—methylergonovine maleate and carboprost tromethamine.
METHODS:
We conducted a double-blind randomized trial at two large academic perinatal centers in patients undergoing nonemergency cesarean delivery with uterine atony refractory to oxytocin, as diagnosed by the operating obstetrician. The intervention included administration of a single dose of intramuscular methylergonovine or carboprost intraoperatively at diagnosis. The primary outcome, uterine tone on a 0–10 numeric rating scale 10 minutes after study drug administration, was rated by operating obstetricians blinded to the drug administered. Secondary outcomes included uterine tone score at 5 minutes, administration of additional uterotonic agents, other interventions for uterine atony or hemorrhage, quantitative blood loss, urine output, postpartum change in serum hematocrit, transfusion, length of hospital stay, adverse drug or transfusion reactions, and postpartum hemorrhage complications. A sample size of 50 participants per group was planned to detect a 1-point difference (with estimated within-group SD of 1.5) in the mean primary outcome with 80% power at a two-sided α level of 0.05 while accounting for potential protocol violations.
RESULTS:
A total of 1,040 participants were enrolled, with 100 randomized to receive one of the study interventions. Mean±SD 10-minute uterine tone scores were 7.3±1.7 after methylergonovine and 7.6±2.1 after carboprost, with an adjusted difference in means of −0.1 (95% CI, −0.8 to 0.6, P=.76). Additional second-line uterotonics were required in 30.0% of the methylergonovine arm and 34.0% in the carboprost arm (adjusted odds ratio 0.72, 95% CI, 0.27–1.89, P=.505), and geometric mean quantitative blood loss was 756 mL (95% CI, 636–898) and 708 mL (95% CI, 619–810) (adjusted ratio of geometric means 1.06, 95% CI, 0.86–1.31, P=.588), respectively. No differences were detected in the occurrence of other interventions for uterine atony or postpartum hemorrhage.
CONCLUSION:
No difference was detected in uterine tone scores 10 minutes after administration of either methylergonovine or carboprost for refractory uterine atony, indicating that either agent is acceptable.