Role of cosyntropin in the prevention of post-dural puncture headache: a propensity-matched retrospective analysis

Post-dural puncture headache (PDPH) is a well-documented complication of accidental dural puncture in obstetric patients. Reports have shown successful treatment with adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) but evidence remains low and limited. In this retrospective analysis, we assessed whether prophylactic administration of cosyntropin, a synthetic derivative of ACTH, reduced the incidence of PDPH after accidental dural puncture in parturients.

The study population included 132 women with an accidental dural puncture over a three-year period (June 1, 2018 to Oct 31, 2021) at a large tertiary-care center. Patient electronic medical records were reviewed for patient characteristics, prophylactic administration of cosyntropin, PDPH diagnosis, and need for epidural blood patch. Typically, 1 mg of cosyntropin was administered as an intravenous bolus or infusion post-delivery. The propensity score was calculated based on the following factors: age, body mass index, and placement of an intrathecal catheter. Patients were matched allowing 10% variation in scores to reduce potential treatment assignment bias.

A total of 115 patients were included in the final analysis. Intravenous cosyntropin was administered to 65 patients (55.6%). Among those who received cosyntropin, 37 (56.9%) developed PDPH compared with 29 patients (58%) in the no-cosyntropin group (P = 0.08). Epidural blood patch was performed in 21 patients (56.8%) who received cosyntropin and 13 patients (61.7%) who did not (P = 0.70).

Prophylactic administration of cosyntropin is not associated with a reduced incidence of PDPH.