ROLE OF EPHEDRINE INFUSION IN SPINAL ANAESTHESIA INDUCED HYPOTENSION

Abstract

Background: Spinal anaesthesia is commonly used during caesarean deliveries. In most of the cases hypotension is a common clinical problem after spinal anaesthesia for caesarean delivery. Severe hypotension can lead to maternal and/or foetal morbidity. This study aimed to see the effect of ephedrine infusion in spinal anaesthesia induced hypotension. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted at Maternal and child health centre (MCH), Department of Anaesthesia, PIMS, Islamabad for 6 months. One hundred admitted or referred women who were undergoing caesarean section were included in the study. The patients were randomized to receive either preload crystalloids or co-load plus ephedrine infusion during spinal anaesthesia. The study outcome was judged as frequency of hypotension in the two groups. Results: The mean age of patients in group I (colloid crystalloid ± ephedrine infusion) was 29.4±3.7 years whereas in group II (preload crystalloids) it was 28.9±3.6 years. The frequency of hypotension was significantly higher (56%) in group II as compared to group I (16%) (p<0.001). Hypotension was significantly associated with group II (p<0.001). Additional ephedrine bolus was given to more patients (54%) in group II compared to group I (8%). Conclusion: Crystalloid co-load plus ephedrine results in less frequencies of hypotension than preload crystalloids.

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Pak J Physiol 2016;12(4):12–5