Journal List > Ewha Med J > v.35(2) > 1058552

Kang, Bang, Shin, Kweon, Kim, Lee, Cho, and Lee: Effect of Injection Speed of Local Anesthetic on Hypotension during Spinal Anesthesia for Cesarean Section

Abstract

Objectives

Maternal hypotension is a common problem during cesarean section under spinal anesthesia. We evaluated the influence of injection speed of local anesthetic to subarachnoid space on maternal hypotension and level of sensory block.

Methods

Bupivacaine (0.5%) 9 mg with fentanyl 10 µg was injected to subarachnoid space either quickly (during 20 seconds, 0.1 mL/sec, n=20) or slowly (during 100 seconds, 0.02 mL/sec, n=20) in parturients scheduled for elective cesarean section. The onset and level of sensory block was checked and heart rate and blood pressure was checked by 2.5 minutes during 20 minutes. Hypotension (systolic blood pressure <100 mmHg or <70% of baseline) was treated with ephedrine.

Results

Hypotension occurred 70% of parturients with spinal anesthesia. Slow injection didn't influence on the onset and level of sensory block and didn't reduce the incidence of hypotension. But onset of hypotension was delayed.

Conclusion

Slow injection (during 100 seconds, 0.02 mL/sec) of local anesthetic delayed onset of hypotension and required less amount of ephedrine. Slow injection of local anesthetic was one of the effective methods for the cardiovascular stability during cesarean section under spinal anesthesia.

Figures and Tables

Table 1
Patient characteristics
emj-35-83-i001

There are no significant differences between two groups. The values are presented as mean±SD.

Table 2
Data between two groups
emj-35-83-i002

There are no significant differences between two groups. Values are presented as mean±SD.

Table 3
Ephedrine data
emj-35-83-i003

There are significant difference between two groups in the first ephedrine injection time but no differences in the number of use and amount of ephedrine. Values are presented as mean±SD. *P<0.05 between two groups.

Table 4
Hemodynamic data in two groups
emj-35-83-i004

There are no significant differences between two groups in SBP, DBP and HR. Values are presented as mean±SD. SBP, systolic blood pressure; DBP, diastolic blood pressure; HR, heart rate.

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