Canadian journal of anaesthesia = Journal canadien d'anesthésie
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Up-down determination of the ED(90) of oxytocin infusions for the prevention of postpartum uterine atony in parturients undergoing Cesarean delivery.
Use of the lowest effective dose of oxytocin may reduce side effects. This study was designed to determine the effective dose (ED)(90) of oxytocin infusion for an elective Cesarean delivery (CD) to prevent uterine atony. ⋯ In this study, we found the ED(90) of oxytocin required to prevent uterine atony and postpartum hemorrhage after an elective CD to be 0.29 IU.min(-1)-approximately 15 IU of oxytocin in 1 L of intravenous fluid administered over a one-hour period-(95% CI 0.15-0.43 IU.min(-1)). This oxytocin infusion dose is 30% less than the clinical infusions currently in use. It remains to be seen whether this dosing will be required for higher risk individuals or for labouring parturients undergoing non-elective CD. (Clinical Trial gov. NCT00785395).