Comparison of the Hemodynamic Changes in Normotensive and Severe Preeclamptic Pregnant Woman Posted For Cesarean Section under Spinal Anaesthesia

Abstract

Background: Spinal anesthesia is widely considered a technique of choice for cesarean delivery. But due to fear of sudden and extensive sympathetic blockade, spinal anesthesia may not be considered safe in severe preeclampsia. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to compare the heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), incidence of hypotension, phenyl ephrine requirement and neonatal outcome between normotensive and severe pre-eclamptic women undergoing cesarean section under spinal anesthesia. Material and Methods: A total of 35 severe pre-eclamptic (BP > 160/110 mmHg) 3(Group A) and 35 healthy parturients (group B), meeting the inclusion criteria were included in the study. After preloading with 10 ml/kg of ringer lactate (RL) solution spinal anesthesia was administered with 12.5 mg of hyper baric bupivacaine. Heart rate and blood pressure were recorded before spinal anesthesia and thereafter at 3 minute intervals upto 60 minutes. Hypotension was defined as MAP LESS,THAN 30% of the baseline or a decrease in SBP to LESS THAN 100 mm Hg over the same time interval and was treated with 50 mcg phenylephrine intravenously (i.v). Apgar score was noted 1 and 5 min after birth. Results: The incidence rate of hypotension among the preeclamptic patients was lower than that of the healthy parturients (55.6% vs. 34.1%). The minimum SBP, DBP, and MAP recorded were lower in normotensive, and the difference between two groups was statistically significant. The mean phenylephrine requirement in the normotensive group (151.1 ± 70) was significantly greater (P LESS THAN 0.0001) than that of pre-eclamptic group (48.3 ± 35). The total doses of IV Phenylephrine for treating hypotension were significantly lower among the preeclamptic patients (72 mcg in preeclamptic patients versus 188 mcg in normotensive patients) (P LESS THAN 0.05). There was no statistical difference in the neonatal outcome and Apgar score in the study groups. Conclusion: Pre-eclamptics experienced less hypotension following subarachnoid block (SAB) than normotensives and required less phenylephrine with comparable fetal Apgar scores.