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. 2011 Jan;204(1):56.e1-6.
doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2010.08.023. Epub 2010 Nov 3.

Oxytocin exposure during labor among women with postpartum hemorrhage secondary to uterine atony

Chad A Grotegut  1 , Michael J Paglia, Lauren N C Johnson, Betty Thames, Andra H James
Affiliations

Oxytocin exposure during labor among women with postpartum hemorrhage secondary to uterine atony

Chad A Grotegut et al. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2011 Jan.

Abstract

Objective: We sought to determine if women with severe postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) secondary to uterine atony received greater amounts of oxytocin during labor compared to women without PPH.

Study design: Subjects with severe PPH secondary to uterine atony, who received a blood transfusion, were compared to matched controls. Total oxytocin exposure was calculated as the area under the concentration curve (mU/min*min). Variables were compared using paired t test, χ², and logistic regression.

Results: Women with severe PPH had a mean oxytocin area under the curve of 10,054 mU compared to 3762 mU in controls (P < .001). After controlling for race, body mass index, admission hematocrit, induction status, magnesium therapy, and chorioamnionitis using logistic regression, oxytocin area under the curve continued to predict severe PPH.

Conclusion: Women with severe PPH secondary to uterine atony were exposed to significantly more oxytocin during labor compared to matched controls.

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