Oxytocin Bolus Versus Infusion in High-Risk Patients Undergoing Elective Cesarean Section (INBOX-HR)

Summary

The goal of this randomized, double-blind clinical trial is to learn if Oxytocin is most effective at achieving adequate uterine tone (important for preventing postpartum hemorrhage) when administered as a bolus or an infusion in patients at high-risk for postpartum hemorrhage in elective cesarean sections. The main questions that will be answered are: 1. Is Oxytocin bolus more effective than Oxytocin infusion at achieving adequate uterine tone at 2 minutes after the baby is born and every minute thereafter? 2. Does Oxytocin bolus cause less maternal side effects than Oxytocin infusion? 3. Does Oxytocin bolus result in less blood loss than Oxytocin infusion in high risk for postpartum hemorrhage patients undergoing elective cesarean sections? 3\. Are patients more satisfied with their cesarean section when they receive Oxytocin bolus or Oxytocin infusion? Researchers will compare the 2 methods of Oxytocin administration, bolus versus infusion, to see which method is more effective or if they are equally effective. Participants will: 1. Be randomized to receive either Oxytocin bolus or Oxytocin infusion during their cesarean section but after the baby is born. 2. Be asked a question about their experience 2 hours after the surgery. 3. Allow the research team to collect information about how they are doing from their hospital medical records.

Timeline

Start

2026-08

Primary completion

2028-08

Completion

2029-02

Publications

• Background Wang LY, Wang J, Dong JH, Ping ZP, Chen XZ, Wei CN. The optimal oxytocin infusion rate for preventing uterine atony during cesarean delivery in elderly parturients with prior history of cesarean delivery. Front Pharmacol. 2023 Jul 28;14:1211693. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1211693. eCollection 2023.
• Background Oyelese Y, Ananth CV. Postpartum hemorrhage: epidemiology, risk factors, and causes. Clin Obstet Gynecol. 2010 Mar;53(1):147-56. doi: 10.1097/GRF.0b013e3181cc406d.
• Background Joseph J, George SK, Daniel M, Ranjan RV. A randomised double-blind trial of minimal bolus doses of oxytocin for elective caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia: Optimal or not? Indian J Anaesth. 2020 Nov;64(11):960-964. doi: 10.4103/ija.IJA_377_20. Epub 2020 Nov 1.
• Background Fuchs AR, Fuchs F, Husslein P, Soloff MS. Oxytocin receptors in the human uterus during pregnancy and parturition. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1984 Nov 15;150(6):734-41. doi: 10.1016/0002-9378(84)90677-x.
• Background Terblanche N, Otahal P, Messmer A, Wright P, Patel S, Nathan K, Sharman JE. An observational cohort study of 3 units versus 5 units slow intravenous bolus oxytocin in women undergoing elective caesarean delivery. J Physiol Pharmacol. 2017 Aug;68(4):547-553.
• Background Balki M, Tsen L. Oxytocin protocols for cesarean delivery. Int Anesthesiol Clin. 2014 Spring;52(2):48-66. doi: 10.1097/AIA.0000000000000016. No abstract available.
• Background Say L, Chou D, Gemmill A, Tuncalp O, Moller AB, Daniels J, Gulmezoglu AM, Temmerman M, Alkema L. Global causes of maternal death: a WHO systematic analysis. Lancet Glob Health. 2014 Jun;2(6):e323-33. doi: 10.1016/S2214-109X(14)70227-X. Epub 2014 May 5.

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Indications