Journal article
Refractory uterine atony: still a problem after all these years
International journal of obstetric anesthesia, Vol.48, pp.103207-103207
11/2021
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijoa.2021.103207
PMID: 34391025
Abstract
•Uterine atony is the leading cause of postpartum hemorrhage.•Prophylactic oxytocin is administered after delivery to prevent uterine atony.•A higher oxytocin dose is required for intrapartum vs. elective cesarean delivery.•Second-line agents should be administered for uterine atony refractory to oxytocin.•The choice of second-line uterotonic agents depends on patient comorbidities.
Postpartum hemorrhage is a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality, and uterine atony is the leading cause of postpartum hemorrhage. Risk factors for uterine atony include induced or augmented labor, preeclampsia, chorio-amnionitis, obesity, multiple gestation, polyhydramnios, and prolonged second stage of labor. Although a risk assessment is recommended for all parturients, many women with uterine atony do not have risk factors, making uterine atony difficult to predict. Oxytocin is the first-line drug for prevention and treatment of uterine atony. It is a routine component of the active management of the third stage of labor. An oxytocin bolus dose as low as 1 IU is sufficient to produce satisfactory uterine tone in almost all women undergoing elective cesarean delivery. However, a higher bolus dose (3 IU) or infusion rate is recommended for women undergoing intrapartum cesarean delivery. Carbetocin, available in many countries, is a synthetic oxytocin analog with a longer duration than oxytocin that allows bolus administration without an infusion. Second line uterotonic agents include ergot alkaloids (ergometrine and methylergonovine) and the prostaglandins, carboprost and misoprostol. These drugs work by a different mechanism to oxytocin and should be administered early for uterine atony refractory to oxytocin. Rigorous studies are lacking, but methylergonovine and carboprost are likely superior to misoprostol. Currently, the choice of second-line agent should be based on their adverse effect profile and patient comorbidities. Surgical and radiologic management of uterine atony includes uterine tamponade using balloon catheters and compression sutures, and percutaneous transcatheter arterial embolization.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Refractory uterine atony: still a problem after all these years
- Creators
- M. Balki - Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research InstituteC.A. Wong - Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- International journal of obstetric anesthesia, Vol.48, pp.103207-103207
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.ijoa.2021.103207
- PMID
- 34391025
- ISSN
- 0959-289X
- eISSN
- 1532-3374
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 11/2021
- Academic Unit
- Anesthesia
- Record Identifier
- 9984295954502771
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