Exploring cardiac effects after oxytocin 2.5 IU or carbetocin 100 μg: A randomised controlled trial in women undergoing planned caesarean delivery.

Background: Oxytocin can stimulate release of myocardial biomarkers troponin I and T, prolong QTc and induce ST-depression.

Objective: To explore cardiac changes after either intravenous carbetocin or oxytocin.

Study Design: Exploratory phase 4 randomised controlled trial.

A study protocol for the cardiac effects of a single dose of either oxytocin 2.5 IU or carbetocin 100 µg after caesarean delivery: a prospective randomized controlled multi-centre trial in Norway.

: Both oxytocin and carbetocin are used to prevent uterine atony and post-partum haemorrhage after caesarean delivery in many countries, including Norway. Oxytocin causes dose-dependent ST-depression, troponin release, prolongation of QT-time and arrythmia, but little is known about myocardial effects of carbetocin. We have previously demonstrated comparable vasodilatory effects of oxytocin and carbetocin and are now undertaking a Phase 4 trial to investigate whether carbetocin causes similar changes to myocardial markers compared with oxytocin.