USA: The effects of vasopressin injection on uterine artery blood flow during D&E

This study was undertaken to determine whether vasopressin decreases uterine artery blood flow and blood loss in early second-trimester surgical abortions (dilation and evacuation). 

This was a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial of a saline paracervical block with or without vasopressin before dilation and evacuation. Uterine artery pulsatility index and blood loss were measured.

Demographics were similar in both groups (mean gestational age 16.8 weeks, SD 1.7). Of 35 randomly assigned patients, Doppler waveforms were adequate in 28 patients (vasopressin, n = 13; placebo, n = 15). The mean difference in uterine artery pulsatility index before and after injection between groups was not significantly different (P = .14). Procedural blood loss was no different.

The authors concluded that paracervical vasopressin compared to placebo injection did not result in significant changes in uterine artery pulsatility index in early second-trimester dilation and evacuation procedures.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA.

The effects of vasopressin injection on uterine artery blood flow during dilation and evacuation. Crawford JT, Edelman AB, Pereira L, Bednarek P, Buckmaster J. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2007 May;196(5):e38-9.