Contact information
Type
Scientific
Primary contact
Dr Wendy Whittle
ORCID ID
Contact details
RM 3201
700 University Avenue
Toronto
M5G 1X8
Canada
wwhittle@mtsinai.on.ca
Additional identifiers
EudraCT number
ClinicalTrials.gov number
Protocol/serial number
MSH Reference Number # 07-0080-A
Study information
Scientific title
Acronym
ABC Trial
Study hypothesis
We hypothesise that the use of a diagnostic amniocentesis and testing for rapid markers of chorioamnionitis (amniotic fluid lactate dehydrogenase or glucose level) will identify a subset of women without subclinical chorioamnionitis for whom the cerclage is more likely to prolong pregnancy to a viable gestational age and decrease the risk of neonatal and maternal complications.
Ethics approval
Approval is pending as of 31/10/2007.
Study design
Randomised controlled trial
Primary study design
Interventional
Secondary study design
Randomised controlled trial
Trial setting
Hospitals
Trial type
Diagnostic
Patient information sheet
Condition
Cervical incompetence
Intervention
Women will be randomised to either:
1. Cerclage group
2. Amniocentesis and cerclage group
Randomisation will be organised by a random numbers table and assigned by telephone. Women randomised to the amniocentesis group will undergo an aseptic aspiration of amniotic fluid under ultrasound guidance by a single operator. Briefly, the abdomen will be prepared with antiseptic solution and draped with sterile towels. The ultrasound transducer probe will be draped with a sterile plastic cover. Using a sterile water-based ultrasound gel to facilitate visualisation, the operator will identify a pocket of amniotic fluid suitably away from the foetus and placenta. A sterile 22 gauge needle will be passed into the uterine cavity under direct visualisation and approximately 15 cc of amniotic fluid will be aspirated.
Post procedure, Rhogam™ will be administered to Rhesus negative patients as indicated. Amniotic fluid will be tested for lactate dehydrogenase level (2 cc), glucose level (2 cc), cell count (2 cc), haemoglobin level (2 cc) and Gram staining (2 cc). Amniotic fluid will be sent for confirmatory aerobic, anaerobic and myoplasma/ureaplasma culture (4 cc per culture).
All tests will be performed by the respective Departments of Biochemistry, Haematology and Microbiology (Mount Sinai Hospital, Canada) using established protocols. While waiting for the fluid test results (approximately 90 - 120 minutes), a tocodynometer will be placed over the uterine fundus to confirm the absence of uterine activity. Those women without evidence of subclinical infection following amniocentesis and those women who were randomised to the cerclage group will have a rescue cerclage placed.
Rescue cerclage placement will be performed under general anaesthesia. Women will be placed in the lithotomy position with a steep Trendelenberg tilt. The prolapsed membranes will be gently pushed back into the uterine cavity with an inflated Foley catheter. A single purse string suture (#5 Ticron™) will be performed using the technique described by MacDonald. Perioperative tocolysis (indomethacin 100 mg per rectum [pr] followed by 25 mg orally every 6 hours for 48 hours) to prevent the uterine contractions that can be precipitated by cervical manipulation and cerclage insertion and prophylactic antibiotics (clindamycin 900 mg intravenous [iv] three times a day [TID] for 7 days) will be administered. A transvaginal ultrasound to evaluate the cervical placement will be done 48 hours postoperatively.
Following cerclage insertion, women will be restricted to bedrest until 30 weeks of gestation. Cerclages will be removed electively at 36 weeks or before based on foetal or maternal indication. Thromboprophylaxis with enoxaparin (40 mg subcutaneously [sc] once daily [od]) will be administered to all women on prolonged bed rest.
Intervention type
Other
Phase
Not Specified
Drug names
Primary outcome measures
The primary comparison will be the prolongation of gestation to greater than 34 weeks of gestation, defined as rescue cerclage success.
Secondary outcome measures
1. Maternal morbidity: will include complications of cerclage insertion, through gestation and at the time of the delivery
2. Neonatal morbidity: will include complications during the initial admission to the nursery following the delivery
Overall trial start date
01/01/2008
Overall trial end date
31/12/2008
Reason abandoned
Eligibility
Participant inclusion criteria
1. Singleton gestation
2. Presence of cervical dilatation
3. Membranes visible at or protruding through the cervical opening
4. Absence of any uterine activity
5. Absence of any overt signs of maternal infection:
5.1. Maternal temperature greater than 37.8°C
5.2. Diffuse abdominal pain
5.3. Foul/pus like discharge
5.4. Maternal or foetal tachycardia
Participant type
Patient
Age group
Adult
Gender
Female
Target number of participants
46
Participant exclusion criteria
1. Intrauterine foetal demise or distress
2. Intrauterine growth restriction
3. Foetal anomaly
4. Poly- or oligo-hydramnious
5. Ruptured foetal membranes
6. Current history of significant antepartum haemorrhage
Recruitment start date
01/01/2008
Recruitment end date
31/12/2008
Locations
Countries of recruitment
Canada
Trial participating centre
RM 3201
Toronto
M5G 1X8
Canada
Sponsor information
Organisation
Mount Sinai Hospital (Canada)
Sponsor details
c/o Dr Wendy Whittle
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Rm 3201 Ontario Power Generation Building
700 University Avenue
Toronto
M5G 1X8
Canada
wwhittle@mtsinai.on.ca
Sponsor type
Hospital/treatment centre
Website
Funders
Funder type
Hospital/treatment centre
Funder name
Mount Sinai Hospital (Canada) - Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research Fund ($5000)
Alternative name(s)
Funding Body Type
Funding Body Subtype
Location
Results and Publications
Publication and dissemination plan
Not provided at time of registration
Intention to publish date
Participant level data
Not provided at time of registration
Results - basic reporting
Publication summary