In-vitro Study to Assess the Coagulation Effects of Exogenous Oxytocin Using Thromboelastography.
Condition: Anesthesia
Study type: Observational

Summary: 
      Oxytocin is normally administered following delivery in pregnant patients to reduce
      postpartum bleeding by increasing uterine tone. It is unclear whether the use of intravenous
      oxytocin alters coagulation in pregnant patients. The purpose of the in-vitro study is to
      assess the coagulation changes of oxytocin in blood samples from pregnant patients using
      thromboelastrography (TEG). TEG is a point-of-care device which measures the viscoelastic
      properties of clot formation, and can provide rapid and detailed information about
      coagulation changes. We aim to collect blood samples from pregnant patients to assess the
      in-vitro effects of synthetic oxytocin on coagulation using TEG.
    

Detailed description: 
      All obstetric patients presenting for elective induction of labor or elective Cesarean
      delivery will be informed about the study prior to and on admission to the labor and delivery
      unit. Admission blood sampling will take place by venepuncture for the following
      analysis:TEG, PT, PTT, INR, Hct, Platelet count.The results of oxytocin influence on
      thromboelastogram parameters will be compared to a control. The control is an aliquot of
      parturient blood with no added oxytocin. Thromboelastography will be used to assess
      coagulation changes between control samples and blood samples with added oxytocin. The
      results will not be used to influence clinical management of any case.
    

Intervention name(s): Final exogenous oxytocin concentration=22.5 μU/mL; Final exogenous oxytocin concentration=30.1μU/mL; Final exogenous oxytocin concentration=32.9μU/mL
Intervention type(s): Drug; Drug; Drug
Intervention description(s): Citrated whole blood 1mL + 23μU oxytocin. After mixing by inversion 8-10 times, 360μL kaolin-activated blood of each study solution was pipetted into a plastic cup in a prewarmed Thromboelastograph® (37°C). Each sample was recalcified in a plastic cup with 10μL of CaCl2 6.45%, and TEG® analysis was commenced within 1 minute of reconstituted sample preparation.; Citrated whole blood 1mL + 31μU oxytocin. After mixing by inversion 8-10 times, 360μL kaolin-activated blood of each study solution was pipetted into a plastic cup in a prewarmed Thromboelastograph® (37°C). Each sample was recalcified in a plastic cup with 10μL of CaCl2 6.45%, and TEG® analysis was commenced within 1 minute of reconstituted sample preparation.; Citrated whole blood 1mL + 34μU oxytocin. After mixing by inversion 8-10 times, 360μL kaolin-activated blood of each study solution was pipetted into a plastic cup in a prewarmed Thromboelastograph® (37°C). Each sample was recalcified in a plastic cup with 10μL of CaCl2 6.45%, and TEG® analysis was commenced within 1 minute of reconstituted sample preparation.
Other intervention name(s): TEG; TEG; TEG
Intervention MeSH terms: Oxytocin
Observational model: Case-Only
Time perspective: Prospective
Sampling method: Non-Probability Sample
Study population: 
        healthy pregnant patients awaiting elective induction of labor or cesarean delivery.
      
Biospecimen description: 
      Venous blood