1.
Tranexamic Acid to Prevent Obstetrical Hemorrhage after Cesarean Delivery
Pacheco LD, Clifton RG, Saade GR, Weiner SJ, Parry S, Thorp JM Jr, Longo M, Salazar A, Dalton W, Tita ATN, et al
The New England journal of medicine. 2023;388(15):1365-1375
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Prophylactic use of tranexamic acid at the time of cesarean delivery has been shown to decrease the calculated blood loss, but the effect on the need for blood transfusions is unclear. METHODS We randomly assigned patients undergoing cesarean delivery at 31 U.S. hospitals to receive either tranexamic acid or placebo after umbilical-cord clamping. The primary outcome was a composite of maternal death or blood transfusion by hospital discharge or 7 days post partum, whichever came first. Key secondary outcomes were estimated intraoperative blood loss of more than 1 liter (prespecified as a major secondary outcome), interventions for bleeding and related complications, the preoperative-to-postoperative change in the hemoglobin level, and postpartum infectious complications. Adverse events were assessed. RESULTS A total of 11,000 participants underwent randomization (5529 to the tranexamic acid group and 5471 to the placebo group); scheduled cesarean delivery accounted for 50.1% and 49.2% of the deliveries in the respective groups. A primary-outcome event occurred in 201 of 5525 participants (3.6%) in the tranexamic acid group and in 233 of 5470 (4.3%) in the placebo group (adjusted relative risk, 0.89; 95.26% confidence interval [CI], 0.74 to 1.07; P = 0.19). Estimated intraoperative blood loss of more than 1 liter occurred in 7.3% of the participants in the tranexamic acid group and in 8.0% of those in the placebo group (relative risk, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.79 to 1.05). Interventions for bleeding complications occurred in 16.1% of the participants in the tranexamic acid group and in 18.0% of those in the placebo group (relative risk, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.82 to 0.97); the change in the hemoglobin level was -1.8 g per deciliter and -1.9 g per deciliter, respectively (mean difference, -0.1 g per deciliter; 95% CI, -0.2 to -0.1); and postpartum infectious complications occurred in 3.2% and 2.5% of the participants, respectively (relative risk, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.61). The frequencies of thromboembolic events and other adverse events were similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS Prophylactic use of tranexamic acid during cesarean delivery did not lead to a significantly lower risk of a composite outcome of maternal death or blood transfusion than placebo. (Funded by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03364491.).
PICO Summary
Population
Patients undergoing caesarean delivery at 31 U.S. hospitals (n= 11,000).
Intervention
Tranexamic acid (n= 5,529).
Comparison
Placebo (n= 5,471).
Outcome
The primary outcome was a composite of maternal death or blood transfusion by hospital discharge or 7 days postpartum, whichever came first. A primary-outcome event occurred in 201 of 5,525 participants (3.6%) in the tranexamic acid group and in 233 of 5,470 (4.3%) in the placebo group (adjusted relative risk, 0.89; 95.26% CI [0.74, 1.07]). Estimated intraoperative blood loss of more than 1 litre occurred in 7.3% of the participants in the tranexamic acid group and in 8.0% of those in the placebo group (relative risk, 0.91; 95% CI [0.79, 1.05]). Interventions for bleeding complications occurred in 16.1% of the participants in the tranexamic acid group and in 18.0% of those in the placebo group (relative risk, 0.90; 95% CI [0.82, 0.97]); the change in the haemoglobin level was -1.8 g per decilitre and -1.9 g per decilitre, respectively (mean difference, -0.1 g per decilitre; 95% CI [-0.2, -0.1]); and postpartum infectious complications occurred in 3.2% and 2.5% of the participants, respectively (relative risk, 1.28; 95% CI [1.02, 1.61]). The frequencies of thromboembolic events and other adverse events were similar in the two groups.
2.
Intravenous versus Oral iron for Iron-Deficiency Anemia in Pregnancy (IVIDA): A Randomized Controlled Trial
Lewkowitz AK, Stout MJ, Cooke E, Deoni SC, D'Sa V, Rouse DJ, Carter EB, Tuuli MG
American journal of perinatology. 2021
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) can have serious consequences for mothers and babies. Iron supplementation is recommended, but the administration route is controversial. We sought to conduct a randomized controlled trial (RCT) testing the effectiveness and safety of intravenous (IV) iron compared with oral iron on perinatal outcomes in pregnant women with IDA. STUDY DESIGN This open-label RCT randomized patients with IDA (hemoglobin [hgb] <10 g/dL and ferritin <30 ng/mL) at 24 to 34 weeks' to oral iron or single 1,000-mg dose of IV low-molecular weight iron dextran over one hour. The primary outcome was maternal anemia at delivery (hgb < 11 g/dL). Secondary outcomes were mild/moderate or severe adverse reactions, maternal hgb and ferritin at delivery, blood transfusion, gestational age at delivery, birth weight, neonatal hgb and ferritin, and composite neonatal morbidity. Analysis was as per protocol. RESULTS The trial was stopped early for logistical reasons, and the data analyzed as preliminary data to inform a larger, potentially externally funded, definitive trial. Of 55 patients approached, 38 consented. Of these, 15 were withdrawn: 5 received IV iron from their primary obstetrician after being randomized to oral iron and 10 declined to receive IV iron. Of the remaining 23 patients, who were included in the analytic population, 13 received oral iron and 10 received IV iron. The rate of maternal anemia at delivery (hgb < 11 g/dL) was high overall but significantly reduced with IV iron (40 vs. 85%, p = 0.039). Rates of maternal hgb < 10 g/dL were significantly lower in the IV iron group (10 vs. 54%, p = 0.029). There were no severe adverse reactions and similar rates of mild/moderate reactions between groups. CONCLUSION IV iron reduces rates of anemia at the time of admission for delivery, supporting a larger RCT comparing IV versus oral iron for the treatment of IDA of pregnancy powered for definitive clinical outcomes. However, issues uncovered in this RCT suggest that patient, clinician, and systems-level barriers associated with different IDA treatment modalities must be considered prior to conducting a larger RCT. This study is registered with clinicaltrials.gov with identifier no.: NCT03438227. KEY POINTS · IV iron decreases rates of anemia on admission for delivery compared with oral iron.. · In an unblinded randomized trial, a significant proportion of patients preferred alternate therapy.. · Future RCTs should incorporate double-blinded technique to reduce risk of patient crossover.. · Results from feasibility trial support a larger RCT comparing IV to oral iron for IDA in pregnancy..