Efficacy of Phenylephrine and Ephedrine inmaintainingmaternal blood pressure intra operatively during spinal anesthesia for caesarean section

Abstract

Introduction: Spinal anaesthesia has become a popular technique for caesarean section. It however has the potential to cause rapid onset of maternal hypotension which may have detrimental maternal and neonatal effects. Thus, a number of strategies for treating hypotension have been investigated. Careful positioning and volume preloading with crystalloid or colloids have been used to prevent it, but these are not complete measures and vasopressor is required to correct hypotension quickly. Methodology: After approval from our institutional ethics committee, 100 parturients ASA I and II scheduled for elective as well as emergency Caesarean section under sub arachnoid block (SAB) were studied. All parturients were at term, had uncomplicated singleton pregnancy with cephalic presentation. Results: Phenylephrine and Ephedrine are effective given prophylactically IV bolus followed by infusion in maintenance of arterial pressure within 15% limit of baseline. Phenylephrine has quicker and shorter duration of action effect in comparison to Ephedrine. Conclusion: Vasopressor drugs Phenylephreine and Ephedrine, effectively maintained arterial blood pressure during spinal anaesthesia for caesarean section. Key words: Phenylephrine, Ephedrine, Caesarean section