Prophylactic efficacy of intravenous ondansetron in prevention of spinal anaesthesia induced hypotension

Abstract

Background: Spinal anesthesia is used in wide range of surgical procedures, but it is associated with potential complications such as hypotension and shivering. Thus the present study was aimed to compare the effect of 6mg ondansetron and placebo 10 minutes before spinal anesthesia for prevention of hypotension and shivering in patients undergoing non-obstetric surgeries. Methods: A double blinded randomized placebo control trial was conducted in 50 patients. Patients were randomized into ondansetron group (n =25) and placebo group (n=25).The primary outcome was the measurement of SBP(Systolic Blood Pressure), DBP(Diastolic Blood Pressure), MAP(Mean Arterial Pressure) and HR(Heart Rate) at baseline, 5, 10, 15 and 30 minutes after subarachnoid block. Results: There was a significant mean difference in SBP and DBP at 5, 10, 15 and 30 minutes after subarachnoid block (SAB) between the groups (p<0.05). Further, significant decreased MAP was observed at 5,10,15 and 30 minutes after SAB in placebo as compared to ondansetron group (p<0.05). Further 30 minutes after SAB, 28% of patients in placebo group and 4% of patients in ondansetron group had shivering (p=0.04). Conclusion: The present study shows that ondansetron is a suitable agent for the mitigation of spinal anesthesia-induced hypotension and shivering during non-obstetric surgeries.