Comparison Of Spinal Anaesthesia Induced Hypotension In Severely Preeclamptic And Normotensive Parturients Undergoing Caesarean Section

Abstract

Introduction: Preeclampsia and eclampsia are one of the most common complications of pregnancy. These patients usually require caesarean section for the delivery of fetus. Spinal anaesthesia is commonly used in such patients and hypotension is the most common complication. In this study we compared the spinal anaesthesia induced hypotension in severe preeclamptic and normotensive parturients. Objectives: To compare the frequency of spinal anaesthesia induced hypotension in severely preeclamptic parturients with normotensive parturients undergoing caesarean section. Study Design: Cohort study. Setting: Department of Anaesthesiology, District Headquarter Teaching Hospital, Sargodha. Duration of Study: Six months (July 2013 to December 2013). Subjects and Methods: Following informed consent, Total 200 patients were selected, 100 severely preeclamptic parturients Group A and

100 normotensive parturients Group B, undergoing caesarean section. Spinal anaesthesia was administered in the sitting position at level of L3-4 or L4-5 interspaces. Maternal systolic and diastolic blood pressure were recorded at 2-min intervals from the time of spinal injection for 20 min and then at 5-min intervals until the end of the surgery. Spinal hypotension was considered if there is 20% decrease of mean BP from the baseline or systolic pressure less than 100mm Hg at any time till the end of surgery.

Results: The incidence of hypotension was significantly less (17.0%) in severely preeclamptic patients as compared with the normotensive parturients (42.0%)

Conclusions: Patients with severe preeclampsia have less chances of hypotension with spinal anaesthesia for elective caesarean delivery than healthy normotensive parturients.