Carbetocin vs. Syntometrine in Prevention of Postpartum Hemorrhage: a Double Blind Randomized Control Trial

Background: Postpartum hemorrhage is a significant cause of maternal mortality and morbidity, worldwide.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy between carbetocin and syntometrine in prevention of postpartum hemorrhage.

Materials and methods: This study was a double blind randomized clinical trial that carried out on 200 pregnant women referred to Shabiehkhani maternity center of Kashan, during 2011. The first group received intramuscular syntometrine and the second group received intramuscular carbetocin after placental delivery. All of the participants were followed for 24 hours and blood pressure, pulse rate, uterine tone, hemoglobin concentration at first and 24 hours after delivery, and the need for additional uterotonic drugs and drug side effects were evaluated. Finally all data were analyzed using t-test, chi square tests and logistic regression.

Results: The mean fall in hemoglobin level in the carbetocin group was significantly lower than the syntometrine group (P < 0.001). Also there were significant differences between the two groups, regarding additional uterotonic drug requirements (P = 0.002). Moreover systolic blood pressure and uterine tone immediately and 30 minutes after drug administration were significantly different (P < 0.001). Incidence rate of tachycardia in the carbetocin group was 13%, in contrast to 5% in the syntometrine group (P = 0.04).

Conclusions: This study revealed that carbetocin is more effective than syntometrine in prevention of postpartum hemorrhages. Thus it can be used as a good alternative of syntometrine for low-risk women.