Assessment of the effect of two doses of prophylactic onandsetron on maternal hemodynamics, neonatal outcome and spinal blockade specifications, in parturients scheduled for cesarean delivery

Abstract

Objective To compare between two doses of ondansetron (2 mg, 4 mg) and ephedrine in prevention of maternal hypotension and bradycardia induced by spinal anesthesia, their effects on specifications of spinal blockade, neonatal outcome, and their side effects. Patients and methods One hundred twenty parturients ASA І or ІІ aged between 18 and 40 years, scheduled for elective cesarean section under spinal anesthesia. They were randomly divided into four equal groups. First group received intravenous I.V. 2 mg ondansetron, second group received I.V. 4 mg ondansetron, third group received 10 mg ephedrine, and the fourth group received normal saline. All the test drugs were administered as bolus dose five minutes before intrathecal injection. Mean blood pressure, heart rate, vasopressor use, spinal anesthesia specifications, neonatal outcome, and side effects were assessed. Results The fall in mean blood pressure after spinal anesthesia in ondansetron 4 mg group was the least and the greatest was in the control group. There was dropping in heart rate values after spinal anesthesia started from 5 minutes value with significance to the control group only. No significant difference between the four groups in the spinal anesthesia characters. Slight acidosis was noticed in the ephedrine group which doesn’t affect the clinical neonatal outcome. Conclusion Prophylactic bolus intravenous ondansetron 4 mg and to less extent 2 mg could decrease the fall in mean blood pressure of parturients following spinal anesthesia as well as intravenous ephedrine 10 mg with added advantage that it could decrease neonatal acidosis associated with ephedrine use.